Azerbaijan has high hopes for opening a land route between the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and the rest of Azerbaijan. According to Azerbaijani MP, economic expert Vugar Bayramov, the new transport corridor will increase the international cargo flow through Azerbaijan and rearrange the region's economy.
The Azerbaijani side does not rule out Armenia's inclusion in the new transport corridor, but with certain conditions.
"If Armenia stops its occupation policy, recognizes the territorial integrity of neighboring countries, the issue of participation in the regional platforms of this country can be discussed, and Armenians will be able to use the new transport corridors," Bayramov stated.
According to the MP, in the civilized world, recognizing the territorial integrity of the neighbors and peaceful coexistence is a necessary and desirable thing for everyone.
The MP emphasizes that Armenia is currently economically weakened, and if it abandons its occupation policy, it will be able to integrate into the region and save its economy.
"Armenia's occupation policy has a negative impact on the Armenian economy. Today the unemployment rate in Armenia is more than 20%; the poverty rate is about 30%; other macroeconomic indicators decreased in 2020, including GDP. Although Armenia's foreign debt exceeds $ 8 billion, the country has $ 2.5 billion in foreign exchange reserves. Regional cooperation is very important for improving economic activity," he said.
"Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Armenia, and Iran will use the Nakhchivan railway corridor," Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said a week ago, adding that work is underway to open the corridor.
Plans to build a railway between Turkey and Azerbaijan were publicized as early as on 12 November. The railway project was named the Turkish Gate.
