Declaration, Resolution and the Zangezur Corridor

Baku/06.10.23/Turan: In a significant development, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a declaration during a meeting with European Union (EU) leaders, Germany, and France at the Granada summit, officially recognizing the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, including the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, which spans 86.6 square kilometers.

This declaration marks a crucial step towards resolving the longstanding conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The European Parliament (EP) also played a role in addressing the situation, considering the displacement of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh as tantamount to "ethnic cleansing." On October 5, MEPs adopted a resolution urging the European Union to impose sanctions on Azerbaijan and reevaluate its cooperation with Baku.

Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry reported on October 5 that peacekeepers stationed in Karabakh had dismantled temporary observation posts along the contact line of former troops in Askeran, Agdar, and Shusha districts of Karabakh. This development suggests continued efforts to stabilize the region after the recent conflict.

Additionally, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, Ali Akbar Ahmadiyyan, held a meeting with Khalaf Khalafov, the representative of the President of Azerbaijan on special assignments, during Khalafov's visit to Iran. Ahmadiyyan proposed the possibility of creating a transport route that would provide unhindered access to Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, bypassing Armenian checkpoints. This proposal implies that the corridor could potentially traverse Iranian territory.

Rauf Mirkadyrov, a political commentator, offered insights into these developments during a program called "Difficult Question." Mirkadyrov emphasized that the declaration signed by Pashinyan in Granada is a legally binding document, signed in the presence of European leaders, including the President of the European Council, Charles Michel. However, he stressed that a peace agreement remains the ultimate solution to the regional conflict.

Mirkadyrov highlighted the instability in the South Caucasus region, which he described as being at a critical juncture with potentially far-reaching consequences. He pointed out that the region is not just a matter of Azerbaijani-Armenian relations but has become a focal point in the broader geopolitical confrontation between the West, Russia, and other regional powers.

Regarding the issue of enclaves within the peace agreement, Mirkadyrov noted two possible outcomes: they may persist as enclaves or be subject to a territorial exchange. The resolution of this matter will depend on the negotiations between the parties involved.

Regarding the EP resolution, which called for sanctions against Azerbaijan and a reconsideration of cooperation with Baku, Mirkadyrov deemed it unjust. He argued that the Armenian side had failed to provide any evidence of Azerbaijani pressure on Armenians to leave Nagorno-Karabakh. Mirkadyrov suggested that the Armenian leadership could have visited Karabakh and encouraged residents to remain, while compiling a list of those leaving to prevent manipulation of their numbers.

Mirkadyrov also speculated that Iran's strong opposition to the Zangezur corridor stems from its desire to secure control over communications passing through its territory.