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US has told Armenia it is ready to manage transport corridor with Azerbaijan, Armenpress reports

The United States has expressed its readiness to assist in managing a critical transport corridor involving Armenia and Azerbaijan, according to a report by Armenpress, an Armenian news agency. This development signals a potential step forward in addressing long-standing regional tensions in the South Caucasus, a region marked by historical conflicts and geopolitical complexities. The transport corridor in question is likely tied to efforts to establish connectivity between Azerbaijan and its exclave of Nakhchivan, which is separated from the rest of Azerbaijan by Armenian territory. This issue has been a focal point of negotiations following the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war, which reshaped territorial control and intensified the need for agreements on transit routes and border management.

The South Caucasus has been a hotspot of conflict for decades, primarily due to the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The region, strategically located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, holds significant importance for energy transit, trade routes, and geopolitical influence. The 2020 war, which lasted six weeks, resulted in Azerbaijan regaining control over much of the territory it had lost in the early 1990s. A Russia-brokered ceasefire agreement ended the fighting, but it also introduced new challenges, including the need to establish secure transport links. One of the key provisions of the ceasefire deal was the agreement to unblock transport and economic connections in the region, which included discussions about a corridor linking Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan through Armenian territory, often referred to as the "Zangezur Corridor" in Azerbaijani discourse.

The involvement of the United States in this matter, as reported by Armenpress, underscores Washington's growing interest in stabilizing the South Caucasus and fostering cooperation between Armenia and Azerbaijan. While the U.S. has historically played a secondary role in the region compared to Russia and Turkey, recent diplomatic efforts suggest a shift toward more active engagement. The U.S. has been part of the Minsk Group, a mediation body co-chaired by the U.S., Russia, and France, tasked with facilitating a resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. However, the effectiveness of the Minsk Group has been questioned in recent years, especially after the 2020 war, which saw limited international intervention to prevent escalation. The U.S. offer to manage the transport corridor could be seen as an attempt to reassert influence in the region and provide a counterbalance to other powers, particularly Russia, which currently maintains a peacekeeping presence in Nagorno-Karabakh under the terms of the ceasefire agreement.

The transport corridor issue is deeply intertwined with questions of sovereignty, security, and regional integration. For Azerbaijan, securing a direct link to Nakhchivan is not only a matter of territorial connectivity but also a strategic priority to reduce dependence on alternative routes through Iran or Turkey. For Armenia, however, allowing such a corridor through its territory raises concerns about national security and the potential loss of control over its borders. The Armenian government has repeatedly emphasized that any agreement on transit routes must respect its sovereignty and ensure that Armenian authorities retain oversight over activities within its borders. The idea of an internationally managed corridor, potentially with U.S. involvement, could offer a compromise by providing neutral oversight and reducing the risk of direct conflict between the two nations over the corridor's operation.

The U.S. readiness to manage the corridor also reflects broader geopolitical dynamics in the South Caucasus. The region is a critical junction for energy pipelines, such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, which transports Caspian Sea oil to global markets, bypassing Russia and Iran. Additionally, the South Caucasus is a key segment of the Middle Corridor, a trade route connecting China to Europe via Central Asia and the Caspian Sea. Enhancing connectivity through initiatives like the proposed transport corridor aligns with international efforts to diversify trade routes and reduce reliance on traditional pathways through Russia. The U.S. interest in this project may also be driven by a desire to support economic development in the region as a means of fostering stability and reducing the influence of rival powers.

Armenpress's report does not provide specific details on the nature of the U.S. proposal or the mechanisms through which it would manage the corridor. It remains unclear whether this involvement would entail direct administrative control, financial support, or simply diplomatic facilitation of negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Nevertheless, the announcement is significant as it indicates a willingness on the part of the U.S. to take on a more hands-on role in resolving one of the most contentious issues in the post-war negotiations. This could potentially pave the way for broader international cooperation in the region, involving other stakeholders such as the European Union, which has also expressed interest in supporting peacebuilding efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

For Armenia, the U.S. offer could be a double-edged sword. On one hand, international management of the corridor might provide assurances against potential Azerbaijani overreach and ensure that Armenia's security concerns are addressed. On the other hand, it could be perceived as a diminution of Armenian sovereignty, especially if foreign entities gain significant control over a strategic part of its territory. Public opinion in Armenia remains sensitive to any agreements that might be seen as concessions to Azerbaijan, particularly in the aftermath of the 2020 war, which was widely viewed as a national tragedy due to the loss of territory and lives. The Armenian government, under Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, has faced domestic criticism for its handling of post-war negotiations, and any decision regarding the corridor will likely be scrutinized closely by both the public and opposition groups.

From Azerbaijan's perspective, the U.S. involvement could be welcomed if it accelerates the establishment of the corridor and ensures its functionality. Azerbaijan has been vocal about its desire to see the corridor operational as soon as possible, viewing it as a critical component of its post-war recovery and regional integration strategy. However, Azerbaijan has also emphasized that the corridor should operate without Armenian border controls, a position that has been a major sticking point in negotiations. Whether the U.S. proposal can bridge this gap remains to be seen, but it introduces a new dynamic into the discussions that could potentially break the deadlock.

The broader implications of U.S. involvement in managing the transport corridor extend beyond Armenia and Azerbaijan. Russia, which has positioned itself as the primary mediator in the South Caucasus since the 2020 ceasefire, may view increased U.S. engagement with suspicion. Moscow has its own interests in maintaining influence over regional connectivity projects and has proposed alternative frameworks for unblocking transport links. The presence of Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh and Russia's historical ties with Armenia add further complexity to the situation. Turkey, a close ally of Azerbaijan, also plays a significant role in the region and has supported the corridor initiative as part of its broader vision for a connected Turkic world. The interplay between these external actors will likely shape the trajectory of the corridor project and the extent to which the U.S. can assert its influence.

In conclusion, the U.S. offer to manage a transport corridor between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as reported by Armenpress, represents a potentially transformative development in the South Caucasus. It highlights Washington's intent to play a more active role in resolving regional disputes and fostering connectivity in a strategically important area. However, the success of this initiative will depend on the ability to address the deep-seated mistrust between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as the competing interests of other regional and international players. The transport corridor, if realized, could serve as a symbol of reconciliation and cooperation, but the path to its implementation is fraught with challenges. As negotiations continue, the involvement of the U.S. could either catalyze progress or introduce new complexities into an already intricate geopolitical landscape. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether this proposal can translate into tangible outcomes that benefit all parties involved and contribute to lasting peace in the region.

Read the Full The Straits Times Article at:
[ https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/us-has-told-armenia-it-is-ready-to-manage-transport-corridor-with-azerbaijan-armenpress-reports ]