Armenia’s second President Robert Kocharyan, commenting on ongoing talks surrounding the so-called "Zangezur Corridor," described the situation as "a masterpiece of diplomatic failure" in an interview with the Fifth Channel.
He argued that if the topic is still alive, it means "you have made your territory disputable for others."
"The ‘Zangezur Corridor’ issue should have been off the table after the handover of Artsakh. Now, Karabakh is gone, the Lachin Corridor is gone, yet this topic continues to live a life of its own. When it continues independently, it means your territory has become the subject of discussion between other countries. The U.S. is discussing it with Turkey, Turkey with Azerbaijan, and you’re not part of the conversation. This is the scenario where you're not at the table, you're on the menu," Kocharyan said.
He also criticized the Armenian president’s recent comment that "the gates of Syunik must be opened."
Kocharyan referenced a statement by Turkish President Erdoğan, who announced a $2.8 billion investment in a Kars–Idlib–Nakhichevan railway. According to Kocharyan, this suggests the railway won’t pass through Armenia’s Yeraskh but instead directly connect Nakhichevan to Turkey, bypassing Armenia entirely.
"This route has nothing to do with the unblocking of regional roads. It's simply a corridor linking Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Central Asia. What benefit does Armenia get from this? Anyone with sense should look at a map and ask: what do we gain? A 42-kilometer transit route? I have no doubt this will turn into a corridor. So far, all Azerbaijani predictions have been more accurate than those of Pashinyan. Past experience shows this will likely happen again," he said.
Addressing the idea of delegation, Kocharyan stressed that a state cannot delegate core functions to private companies, calling comparisons with Zvartnots Airport absurd.
"This is business, yes, but that territory is fully under your control. On this road, if there's an accident, whose traffic police will investigate? Which country's court will hear the case? If there’s a fatal incident, which investigative body will handle it?" he asked.
At an international media forum, President Aliyev expanded on the "Zangezur Corridor" narrative, claiming Azerbaijani cargo and citizens should not encounter Armenian border guards or anyone else, and that this route must be seamless and secure between parts of Azerbaijan. He said the matter was raised during his meeting with Armenia’s Prime Minister in Abu Dhabi. He also stated there would be no "operator, lease, or rent" on their side.
In response, PM’s spokesperson Nazeli Baghdasaryan said Armenia has never discussed, is not discussing, and will not discuss "the terminology or logic" cited by Aliyev. She emphasized that Aliyev’s remark that Azerbaijanis should not encounter Armenian border guards is detached from the actual context of discussions.
