Turan Rzayev

The Zangazur corridor is realized, 7 villages of Gazakh and Kerki are returned – Ilham Aliyev’s victory in Brussels President Ilham Aliyev signed an order “On the establishment of the State Commission on delimitation of the state border between Azerbaijan and Armenia” and determined the composition of the commission. It is noteworthy that the State Commission includes the Deputy Prime Minister of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the head of the Gazakh District Executive Power, the head of the Gadabay District Executive Power. It is clear that the executive heads of the regions included in the State Commission are the executive heads of the regions located on the Armenian-Azerbaijani state border. However, the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the head of the Gazakh District Executive Power, the head of the Gadabay District Executive Power also indicates that official Baku will include 7 villages of Gazakh and Karki village of Nakhchivan in the delimitation process. The President of the Council of the European Union, Charles Michel, also told the press in Brussels that the first joint meeting of the Border Commissions on the interstate border will be held in the coming days. All issues related to the delimitation of the border and how to ensure a stable situation will be resolved here. Apparently, official Baku was ready for the process in advance and will demand the return of 7 villages of Gazakh and Karki village of Nakhchivan to Azerbaijan at the first joint meeting of the Border Commissions. Ankara’s position President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev called President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan on May 23. The President informed about the meeting between the President of Azerbaijan, the President of the Council of the European Union and the Prime Minister of Armenia in Brussels. During the meeting, President Ilham Aliyev touched upon the preparation of a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the presentation by Azerbaijan of five principles based on international law, the normalization of relations between the two countries, the opening of transport corridors and the delimitation of borders. The President praised the results of the trilateral meeting. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also praised the positive results achieved at the meeting. The positive assessment of the meeting of the two presidents in Brussels also shows that the interests of not only Baku but also Ankara were ensured at the meeting. At present, the main issue of interest to Turkey is the Zangazur corridor. It is no coincidence that during a telephone conversation with Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Brussels, President Ilham Aliyev said that an agreement had been reached on the opening of the Zangazur corridor, as well as the construction of both railways and highways. Baku has succeeded in taking back 7 villages in Gazakh and Karki in Nakhchivan, while keeping the opening of the Zangazur corridor a priority in the common interest of Baku and Ankara.

Writer is Political analyst of the Center for International Relations and Diplomatic Studies