Russia aware of Iran's concerns over Zangezur Corridor

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YEREVAN, August 29. /ARKA/. Russian officials are aware of Iran's concerns over the proposed Zangezur Corridor, Maria Zakharova, the official spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, said on Wednesday during a briefing./pp

Zakharova addressed Tehran's position on the unacceptability of an extraterritorial corridor that would connect mainland Azerbaijan with Nakhchivan through Armenia. She suggested that those seeking clarification on Iran's stance should direct their inquiries to Tehran./pp

She emphasized that Moscow's position on the reopening of regional communications in the South Caucasus and the contacts between Yerevan and Baku is well known./pp

Russia believes that the relevant agreements should be implemented with mutual consent and under mutually acceptable conditions. This should be done in a way that serves the interests of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and their neighboring countries: Russia, Iran, and Turkey, Zakharova stated during the briefing./pp

Azerbaijan and Turkey are promoting the so-called Zangezur Corridor project, which aims to connect Nakhchivan with mainland Azerbaijan by crossing Armenian territory in the Syunik region, which borders Iran. The project includes the construction of both road and rail links./pp

There have been persistent rumors in the media regarding the potential extraterritorial status of this corridor./pp

However, Armenian authorities have repeatedly rejected negotiations under a corridor logic, insisting on the preservation of sovereignty and jurisdiction over the territory through which the communications would pass./pp br/p