The Zangezur Corridor is of particular importance for transport links between Azerbaijan and Turkey, as well as between Europe and Asia. The road project of the corridor on Azerbaijani territory is already approximately 95 percent complete, while the railway project is 75 percent complete.
This was stated by Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, answering journalists' questions at a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Baku.
According to him, the completion of both projects is planned for the first half of 2027.
"As is known, this railway existed since Soviet times. However, for more than the past 30 years it was practically unused. Therefore, carrying out reconstruction work in this area is also important, and work has now begun there as well," he added.
Bayramov noted that the missing link is a section of approximately 42 kilometers passing through Armenia.
He recalled that one of the agreements reached at last year's summit in Washington was related to the TRIPP project. According to him, this project envisages the creation of transport infrastructure on this 42-kilometer section, which is part of the Zangezur Corridor.
"Our American partners regularly inform us about the progress of the work," the minister said.
Bayramov emphasized that although the communications in question are located on Armenian territory, the entry and exit points are on Azerbaijani territory.
According to the minister, based on the latest information provided to the Azerbaijani side, design work and the creation of a company are currently ongoing and are expected to be completed this year. Physical work is planned to begin in early 2027.
"Overall, it is believed that after the start of physical work, this section can also be completed in a fairly short time. Because, ultimately, it is small. We are talking about a distance of just over 40 kilometers," Bayramov said.
He added that this will ensure direct communication between the main part of Azerbaijan and its Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic through Armenian territory.
According to Bayramov, as a result of ensuring communication through Nakhchivan with Turkey, and from there with the main transport infrastructure of Turkey and Azerbaijan, a new and important route will emerge, stretching from Europe through Turkey and Azerbaijan to Central Asia.
He noted that work is already underway in Turkey on a 224-kilometer section in the Kars – Igdir – Dilucu direction.