Discussions about the so-called "Zangezur Corridor" continued among Azerbaijani political circles, with one senior lawmaker proposing that the route be named after the country's president, Ilham Aliyev, as talks with United States on the proposed Trump route kicked off in Baku this week.
Aliyev and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed an agreement at the White House last month, the centerpiece of which was Yerevan's intentions to lease a 27-mile road in Syunik to the U.S., which would be called the Trump Route for Peace and Prosperity or TRIPP. The same 27-mile road has been eyed by Baku for its scheme of having a land corridor through Armenia with access to Nakhichevan, known as the "Zangezur Corridor."
The Executive Director of the U.S. Economic Development Cooperation, Kenneth Angel, touted the Trump Route during a visit to Baku on Tuesday, saying that the road will be a boon for U.S. companies.
Ignoring Pashinyan's objections, Aliyev on Tuesday again referred to the route "Zangezur Corridor," while Azerbaijan's parliament convened a special session on Tuesday, to hail the White House deal, praised the Azerbaijani leader for making the "Zangezur Corridor" a reality.
"I have no doubt that the 'Zangezur Corridor,' as one of the routes of the Middle Corridor, will play an important role in the near future as a major transport link connecting the continents," Aliyev was quoted by Azerbaijani media as saying on Tuesday.
"The implementation of the 'Zangezur Corridor' project initiated by Ilham Aliyev serves to expand regional cooperation," Azerbaijani parliament speaker Sahiba Gafarova said Tuesday during the special legislative session.
One of her deputies, Ali Ahmedov, said that during the Washington talks Baku secured an "international guarantee" for the launch of the project. The corridor should therefore be named after Aliyev, he proposed, adding yet another wrinkle to the uncertainties emerging since the August 8 meeting at the White House.
So will it be the Trump Route or the Aliyev Route?
For his part, Angel, the U.S. official visiting Baku, pointed to a number of geopolitical factors associated with the so-called Trump Route.
"On one side, Russia, and on the other, Iran do not want this corridor to be opened. Turkey, on the contrary, supports the opening of the corridor. Armenia is also interested in this process, as it would be advantageous for them to collect fees from the cargo passing through the route. I believe this matter will require certain security guarantees and a diplomatic approach. However, this is a different issue from economic progress," Angel said, according to the Azerbaijani APA news agency.
Angel added that the "Trump Route" is currently at an initial stage.
"However, once the road is commissioned and becomes operational, U.S. companies will welcome the opportunity to participate in tenders and join the projects. Which company will submit the most advantageous proposal will be determined at that time," Angel added.
Armenia media outlets having reporting that Angel, or other U.S. officials, are scheduled to visit Yerevan this week to hold similar talks with Armenian government officials.
Reacting to Aliyev's remarks, Iran's Ambassador to Armenia Mehdi Sobhani retorted: "there will be no 'corridor.'"
"There is nothing called a 'corridor,' we are talking about a road. Neither the peace agreement nor the signed declaration mention a corridor," Sobhani said.
When asked what Tehran is prepared to do if Baku does decide to open a so-called "corridor," Sobhani insisted, 'there will be no 'corridor.' Violence will not achieve anything."