Armenia and Azerbaijan‘s roadblock to peace | Mapped Out

Summary

The video script discusses the longstanding conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, focusing on the contentious issue of a transport corridor connecting Azerbaijan to its exclave, Nakhchivan, which lies between Armenian territory. The 'Zangezur corridor' is a key point of negotiation for a potential peace treaty, with implications for regional power dynamics. Major powers like Russia, Turkey, Iran, the EU, and the US have vested interests in the outcome, influencing the geopolitical landscape of the South Caucasus. The script also touches on the historical context, the impact of the Nagorno-Karabakh wars, and the current diplomatic efforts to establish lasting peace in the region.

Takeaways

• 😐 Azerbaijan and Armenia have a long-standing enmity due to ethnic tensions and territorial disputes, particularly over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
• 🤝 There is a potential for peace as both countries express a desire to sign a peace treaty, indicating a willingness to overcome historical animosities.
• 🚧 A significant barrier to peace is the issue of Azerbaijan's exclave, Nakhchivan, which is separated from the mainland by Armenian territory, creating a contentious access issue.
• 🛣️ The 'Zangezur corridor' is a proposed route that could connect mainland Azerbaijan with its exclave Nakhchivan, and is a key point of contention between the two countries.
• 🌍 The corridor's potential to become a major trade route between China and Europe has geopolitical implications, attracting the interest of regional powers like Turkey, Russia, and Iran.
• 🏰 The town of Meghri in Armenia, with its abandoned train station, symbolizes the broken connections between Azerbaijan and Armenia, with the potential to become a hub again if relations normalize.
• ⏳ The path to a peace treaty is complex, with many historical and current issues to resolve, including border delineation, refugee rights, and the security of transport connections.
• 🔍 The involvement of major powers like the EU, US, and regional actors adds layers of complexity to the negotiations and the potential for peace.
• 🏗️ Azerbaijan's military advancements and recent territorial gains have strengthened its position in negotiations, potentially influencing the terms of any peace agreement.
• 🌎 The future of the 'Zangezur corridor' and other transport connections is crucial for regional stability and economic development, with long-term implications for peace and cooperation.

Q & A

What is the historical conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia primarily about?

The historical conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia is primarily about ethnic tensions and territorial disputes, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but has a majority Armenian population.

Why is the connection between Azerbaijan and its exclave Nakhchivan a significant issue?

The connection between Azerbaijan and its exclave Nakhchivan is significant because Azerbaijan seeks an unobstructed, direct access route to Nakhchivan, which is currently geographically separated by Armenia. This issue is a major point of contention in the peace negotiations between the two countries.

What is the significance of the Zangezur corridor in the context of Azerbaijan and Armenia?

The Zangezur corridor is a proposed route that would connect mainland Azerbaijan to its exclave, Nakhchivan, via a strip of land in southern Armenia. It is significant because it could become a key trade route connecting China and Europe, potentially altering the balance of power in the South Caucasus region.

How has the involvement of major powers like Turkey, Russia, and Iran complicated the situation between Azerbaijan and Armenia?

Major powers like Turkey, Russia, and Iran have complicated the situation by having their own strategic interests in the region. Turkey supports Azerbaijan, Russia has historical ties with Armenia but is also looking to maintain influence in the region, and Iran is concerned about the impact of the Zangezur corridor on its economic interests and the influence of Turkey in the region.

What role does the Meghri train station play in the geopolitical struggle between Azerbaijan and Armenia?

The Meghri train station, located between Azerbaijan and its exclave, is at the center of the geopolitical struggle due to its potential role in reestablishing a key transportation link. Its reopening could symbolize a step towards normalization of relations and economic integration, but the control and conditions of such a connection remain a point of dispute.

What were the consequences of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war on the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia?

The 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war resulted in Azerbaijan regaining control over several territories and strengthening its military position. This war also led to a ceasefire agreement that included a provision for Azerbaijan to connect to its exclave via Armenian territory, further complicating the peace process.

Why is the reopening of the Meghri railway connection potentially beneficial for both Armenia and Azerbaijan?

The reopening of the Meghri railway connection could be beneficial for both countries as it would facilitate trade and economic development. For landlocked Armenia, it could provide a vital link to international markets, while for Azerbaijan, it would provide a direct and safer route to its exclave.

What are the main sticking points in the peace negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia?

The main sticking points in the peace negotiations include the delineation of the common border, the right of refugees to return, and the terms of the connection between Azerbaijan and its exclave Nakhchivan, particularly the control and conditions of such a connection.

How does the 'Crossroads of Peace' plan proposed by Armenia differ from Azerbaijan's 'Zangezur corridor'?

Armenia's 'Crossroads of Peace' plan involves opening a network of roads and railroads to Azerbaijan and Turkey while maintaining full control over its territory. This contrasts with Azerbaijan's 'Zangezur corridor', which seeks an unobstructed connection to its exclave without customs or border controls, implying less Armenian control.

What is the role of the European Union and the United States in the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict?

The European Union and the United States are involved in the conflict through diplomatic efforts and economic interests. The EU is concerned about the stability of energy supplies from Azerbaijan and has started an observation mission on Armenia's borders, while the US supports Armenia and is against connections via Iran, which could disrupt regional stability.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 Geopolitical Struggle Between Azerbaijan and Armenia

This paragraph discusses the longstanding conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, focusing on the potential for a peace treaty despite significant barriers. The issue of Azerbaijan's exclave, Nakhchivan, and its lack of direct connection to the mainland is highlighted, with Armenia situated in between. The paragraph explores the contentious topic of how Azerbaijan could establish an unobstructed link to Nakhchivan, which is a key point of negotiation. The geopolitical implications of the Zangezur mountains in Armenia, where a possible connection could be established, are also examined. The potential for this region to become a significant trade route between China and Europe is noted, attracting the interest of regional powers like Turkey, Russia, and Iran, as well as the EU and the US.

05:03

🚂 The Closed Railway and the Impact on Regional Dynamics

The paragraph delves into the historical significance of the now-abandoned train station in Meghri, Armenia, which was once a vital link between Azerbaijan and Armenia, including a diplomatic train route between Moscow and Tehran. The station's closure, due to the late 1980s conflict, symbolizes the breakdown in relations and the dismantling of the railway infrastructure. The desire of both countries to see the station operational again is mentioned as a sign of a potential thaw in relations. However, the complexities of reaching a peace treaty are underscored by the precarious nature of dialogue and the lingering fears of further conflict, as expressed by foreign policy experts from both countries.

10:03

🏰 Historical Roots and Current Developments in the Azerbaijan-Armenia Conflict

This section provides historical context to the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict, explaining how the borders were established under Soviet rule and how they became real borders and sources of conflict following the Soviet Union's collapse. It details the war over Nagorno-Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but predominantly inhabited by Armenians. The paragraph also discusses Azerbaijan's efforts to reconnect with its exclave, the 'Zangezur corridor' project, and the military and political developments that have shifted the balance of power in the region, including Azerbaijan's military advancements and the role of external allies like Turkey and Russia.

15:09

🌐 Major Powers and the Future of Azerbaijan-Armenia Relations

The final paragraph examines the positions of major powers such as Russia, Turkey, Iran, the EU, and the US in the conflict. It discusses Russia's historical alliance with Armenia and its military presence in the region, Turkey's close ties with Azerbaijan and its ambitions for a direct link to Central Asia, and Iran's concerns over the potential strengthening of Turkey's influence. The paragraph also touches on Armenia's 'Crossroads of Peace' plan, which aims to open a network of roads and railroads to Azerbaijan and Turkey while maintaining control over its territory. The narrative concludes with the potential for long-term peace through generational change and increased regional communication, despite the current stalemate in negotiations.

Keywords

💡Nagorno-Karabakh

Nagorno-Karabakh is a region internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but with a majority Armenian population. The conflict over this territory is central to the video's theme, highlighting the historical tensions and wars between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The video discusses the region's status and its role in the ongoing peace negotiations.

💡Zangezur corridor

The Zangezur corridor refers to a proposed transportation route that would connect Azerbaijan to its exclave, Nakhchivan, through Armenian territory. The concept is pivotal in the video, illustrating the strategic and geopolitical complexities of the region. The corridor is a key point of contention between the two countries, with Azerbaijan seeking 'easy access' and Armenia concerned about maintaining control over its territory.

💡Meghri

Meghri is a town in southernmost Armenia, situated between Azerbaijan and its exclave, Nakhchivan. The video uses Meghri as a focal point to discuss the historical and potential future of transportation connections in the region. The town's abandoned train station symbolizes the broken links between the countries and the challenges in reestablishing them.

💡Soviet Union

The Soviet Union is historically significant in the video as it was the entity that originally delineated the borders between Armenia and Azerbaijan, including the creation of the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhchivan and the autonomous region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The video explains how these administrative borders became real and contentious after the Soviet Union's collapse, leading to conflicts and wars.

💡Nakhchivan

Nakhchivan is an exclave of Azerbaijan, geographically separated from the rest of the country by Armenian territory. The video emphasizes the importance of Nakhchivan in the conflict, as Azerbaijan seeks a secure and direct connection to it, which is a major point of negotiation in the peace talks and a symbol of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity.

💡Peace treaty

A peace treaty is an agreement discussed in the video that could potentially end the long-standing conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The concept is central to the video's narrative, as it represents a possible resolution to the disputes over territory and transportation routes, including the Zangezur corridor.

💡Geopolitical struggle

Geopolitical struggle is a concept used in the video to describe the complex interplay of political, economic, and military interests among various countries in the region, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, and Iran. The video illustrates how these struggles influence the negotiations for peace and the establishment of transportation routes.

💡Middle Corridor

The Middle Corridor is a trade route mentioned in the video that connects China and Europe via Central Asia and Turkey. The Zangezur corridor is proposed to be part of this larger trade network, which would have significant implications for regional economic development and power dynamics. The video discusses how the opening of such a corridor could impact the balance of power in the South Caucasus.

💡Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)

The CSTO is a military alliance discussed in the video, led by Russia and including Armenia as a member. The video highlights the role of the CSTO and Russian soldiers in providing security and maintaining a presence in the region, which is crucial for Armenia's sense of security but also a point of contention in its relations with Azerbaijan.

💡Ethnic tensions

Ethnic tensions are a recurring theme in the video, referring to the long-standing animosity between Armenians and Azerbaijanis, which is rooted in historical, cultural, and religious differences. The video uses the concept to provide context for the conflicts and wars that have taken place over the decades, including the Karabakh wars.

💡Extraterritorial corridor

An extraterritorial corridor is a term used in the video to describe a proposed transportation route through Armenian territory to Azerbaijan's exclave, Nakhchivan, without any customs, border controls, or interference from Armenia. The concept is significant as it represents Azerbaijan's demands and Armenia's concerns about its sovereignty and control over its territory.

Highlights

Azerbaijan and Armenia have a long history of ethnic tensions and are considering signing a peace treaty.

The issue of Azerbaijan's exclave Nakhchivan and its connection to the mainland is a significant barrier to peace.

Azerbaijan seeks an unobstructed connection to Nakhchivan, which is geographically separated by Armenia.

The Zangezur mountains in southern Armenia could be the site for a potential connection between Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan.

The proposed connection could become a key trade route between China and Europe, affecting regional power dynamics.

Turkey, Russia, and Iran are engaged in a diplomatic tug-of-war over the control of the connection.

The EU and the US are also involved in the conflict, showing the geopolitical importance of the situation.

The town of Meghri in Armenia is central to the geopolitical struggle due to its abandoned train station.

The railway tracks connecting Azerbaijan to Armenia were dismantled due to the late 1980s conflict.

Both countries express a desire to see the Meghri train station operational again as a step towards normalization.

The path to a peace treaty is complex, with many sticking points including the connection to Nakhchivan.

The borders of Armenia and Azerbaijan were established under Soviet rule, setting the stage for future conflicts.

The full-fledged war over Nagorno-Karabakh led to the displacement of half a million Azeris and severed connections.

Azerbaijan's military advancements have positioned it to demand the reopening of the connection to its exclave.

The ceasefire agreement of 2020 includes a provision for Azerbaijan to connect to its exclave via Armenian territory.

Armenia has a counterplan called 'Crossroads of Peace' to open a network of roads and railroads to Azerbaijan and Turkey.

Major powers including Russia, Turkey, and Iran have vested interests in the outcome of the conflict.

The European Union and the US are also involved, with interests in regional stability and energy security.

The abandoned train station in Meghri symbolizes the potential for future cooperation and peace between the two nations.

Long-term regional communication and interaction could lead to durable peace and understanding between the nations.

Transcripts

These two countries have been enemies for decades. 

This is Azerbaijan. And this is Armenia. 

They share a long history of ethnic tensions. 

You might have heard of the Karabakh wars. 

But now, they might finally be able to bury their enmity. 

They say they want to sign a peace treaty. 

But there are still a lot of barriers to overcome. 

Just look at this: Azerbaijan's exclave Nakhchivan. 

It has no connection to the country’s mainland. 

And in between is Armenia. Why is this a big deal? 

Because the two states argue over how Azerbaijan could connect 

to its exclave. There must be an easy access from 

mainland Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan. There should be no checks, 

no interference, and this is our legitimate right.  

Armenia and Azerbaijan should open their roads for each other without 

the above-mentioned corridor logic. At the checkpoints of those roads, 

border and other relevant control services should operate.  

It’s a fight over control of this connection. 

Let's go to the Zangezur mountains in the south of Armenia 

to find out more. Here, on this narrow and flat patch 

between the mountains, is where the connection could run.

Azerbaijan claims it could become part of a key trade route 

connecting China and Europe. This could have huge impact on 

the balance of power in the South Caucasus, 

a region between Ukraine and the Middle East.  

Turkey, Russia and Iran are in a diplomatic tug-of-war 

over the connection. The EU and the US are 

getting involved as well. So let's find out if this issue 

could stand in the way of peace. On the southernmost tip of Armenia,  

right between Azerbaijan and its exclave, is the town of Meghri.  

Its abandoned train station is now at the center  

of the geopolitical struggle. In the past, some 70 trains would 

drive through here every day. It was also the way to get 

from Azerbaijan's capital Baku to Armenia’s capital Yerevan.  

There was even a diplomatic train running between Moscow and Tehran.  

But the station has been shut down for over three decades.  

Why? In the late 1980s, tensions erupted 

between Armenians and Azerbaijanis. They went to war 

and cut off all ties. As a result, the railway 

tracks were dismantled and sold for scrap metal.  

And the Meghri station fell into ruin.  

Today Armenia and Azerbaijan both say they want to see  

it operating again. There is a chance 

this might happen. They want to 

normalize their relations. But the path to a peace 

treaty can be slippery. It's definitely a sign  

of development of dialogue. But it's still premature  

to say that we will reach a peace treaty soon.

Farid Shafiyev is chairman of Azerbaijan’s governmental  

foreign policy think tank in Baku. People in Armenia — well, frankly 

speaking, are tired of non-stop wars and non-stop of losing wars.  

There is a fear that any new war will bring only new losses.  

Benyamin Poghosyan is a foreign policy expert based in Yerevan.  

I believe that if there is no peace deal,  

then in 2024 definitely there is a rising chance of escalation.  

Conflicting visions for the connection to Nakhchivan  

are one of the main sticking points. But to understand this conflict, 

we need to talk about how these borders came about.  

In the early 1920s, Armenia and Azerbaijan were conquered  

by the Red Army and became part of the Soviet Union.  

Their borders were delineated under Soviet rule.  

This map from 1928 shows it well. Two territories received a 

special status, laying ground for future conflict.  

To the west of Armenia, an Azerbaijani exclave of  

Nakhchivan was created. And within Azerbaijan, the area of 

Nagorno-Karabakh, populated mostly by Armenians, was granted autonomy.  

But back then they were only administrative borders 

within one country – the Soviet Union. People could easily travel 

without any border controls. In many places 

Armenians and Azerbaijanis were neighbors and colleagues.  

Just like in the Meghri station, where approximately 

half the workers were Armenian and the other half Azeri.  

But things changed fundamentally when the Soviet Union started 

collapsing in the late 1980s. This is when clashes erupted 

between the Armenians, who are mostly Christian, 

and Azerbaijanis, who are mostly Muslim. The administrative lines on the map 

became real borders – and reasons for conflict – in the 

run-up to Armenian and Azerbaijani independence in 1991.  

By then, a full-fledged war had erupted over Nagorno-Karabakh.  

It is internationally recognized as territory of Azerbaijan, but mostly 

Armenians lived there. After six years of war, Armenians 

won and took control over Karabakh and bordering territories, 

displacing some half a million Azeris.  

It was during this war that Azerbaijan's connection to 

its exclave was cut off. Having Azerbaijani trains 

run through Armenia became simply too dangerous.  

The last train passed through here in 1993.  

So, what if Azerbaijanis want to travel from their capital Baku  

to the exclave? Which route would they take?  

Buses and trucks need to make a detour via Iran.  

So, most people take a plane, which also flies over Iranian territory.

All this because of a 43-kilometer-long stretch,  

which would be a one-hour drive. So, this connection would make 

things much easier for Azerbaijan. And in the last years, the military 

situation on the ground changed so much in favor of Baku, that 

it felt in a position to demand reopening the route.  

Azerbaijan calls the project the “Zangezur corridor”.  

The opening of Zangezur corridor should be mandatory, whether  

Armenia wants it or not. So, what happened?  

Thanks to revenues from gas and oil, Azerbaijan has heavily 

invested in its military. The country, governed 

autocratically by President Ilham Aliyev, started retaking 

Karabakh from Armenia. By the way: Azerbaijan bought 

many of its weapons from Israel. Israel is a strategic ally which 

wants to counter Iran's ambition in the region.  

Check out our “Mapped Out” video on the Iran-Israel conflict to learn 

more about that. But now let's get back 

to Armenia and Azerbaijan. In 2020, the second 

Karabakh war broke out. Azerbaijan now 

dominated the battlefield. And a ceasefire was 

signed under Russian mediation. It was in this document 

that Azerbaijan secured the demand to connect to its 

exclave via Armenian territory. Armenia agreed to guarantee 

the security of transport connections between Azerbaijan 

and its exclave Nakhchivan. Keep in mind one important 

detail: according to this document these were Russian soldiers 

who “shall be responsible for overseeing the transport 

connections.” We’ll get back to that later. 

Baku says that the “Zangezur corridor” would become part of what 

is known as the “Middle Corridor”, a trade route connecting China 

and Europe via Central Asia and Turkey. And Armenia could profit as well. 

I think these additional links which will go to the South and will 

connect again Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Iran 

will be quite an important additional route.  

I think it will be beneficial for all parties.

Baku wants what it calls “easy access” to its exclave. 

That means: no customs, no border controls. 

Azerbaijan's president has in the past threatened to open 

the corridor by force, if Armenia doesn’t deliver. 

But Armenia has been unwilling to open the connection 

on Baku’s terms. It's worrying that it might 

lose control over this narrow strip of land.  

If Azerbaijan demands there should be no passport control, 

border control and customs control. 

It de facto means an extraterritorial corridor.  

But if there is no passport, border and customs control, 

how can we speak about sovereignty?  

In September 2023 these worries became even greater after 

Azerbaijan broke the ceasefire and swiftly took control 

over the whole of Nagorno-Karabakh. As a result, some 100,000 

people fled the once-autonomous region to Armenia.  

Yerevan has given up territorial claims over Nagorno-Karabakh, 

but other sticking points remain. First of all, there is no 

agreement about the delineation of the common border.  

Secondly, both countries claim their refugees' right to return.  

And finally: what about the connection to Nakhchivan?  

Armenia also has an interest in opening up.  

It’s a landlocked country and ever since the first Karabakh war,  

Armenia’s borders with Azerbaijan and its ally Turkey remain closed.  

This is limiting the country’s development, as it can only trade  

with Georgia to the North and Iran to the South. 

So, Yerevan has a counterplan, called “Crossroads of Peace.”  

The country, which is considered the most democratic in the region, 

wants to open a whole network of roads and railroads 

to Azerbaijan and Turkey. The abandoned railway connection 

via Meghri is among them. But it wants to keep full control 

over its roads and territory. To sum up, it's all about 

control of this strategic connection and land.  

But not only Armenia and Azerbaijan are pulling at opposite ends 

of the rope here. This is how the road 

between Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan looks today.  

To the left is the border fence with Iran.  

To the right, there are still abandoned train tunnels.  

But even though we are in Armenia, the road is controlled  

by the soldiers of the Russian FSB. Strange?  

Let us break down where the major powers stand on this conflict.  

Russia has historically been Armenia’s ally.  

It has 10,000 soldiers and a military base in the country.  

Both states are members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization 

or CSTO, sometimes called a Russian-led alternative to NATO.  

Russian soldiers have been stationed on Armenia’s borders 

since after the collapse of the Soviet Union, like here 

in the south, where the “Zangezur corridor” could run.  

And they would like to stay here. Because boots on the ground give 

Russia leverage in the region. Their presence is also important 

to Azerbaijan, as it says it worries for the security of its people 

travelling through Armenia. But Armenians are increasingly 

disappointed with their ally Russia and unwilling to see 

Moscow as a peace guarantor. Both in 2020 war and after 2020, 

when Azerbaijan attacked Armenia several times — Armenia proper, 

with whom Russia has bilateral 

security and defense agreement — neither Russia nor CSTO did anything.  

And also, people are disappointed that Russia did not prevent 

the forced displacement of all Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh 

in late September 2023. Many Armenians see Russia shifting 

towards Azerbaijan and its ally Turkey due to the war 

in Ukraine and Western sanctions. Russia, cut off from the West, 

looks to the south to develop trade with Asia via Azerbaijan and Iran.  

And Turkey has now become Moscow’s second-biggest 

trade partner after China. Turkey is considered 

Azerbaijan's closest ally. It has a short border with 

Nakhchivan, so if the “Zangezur corridor” becomes reality, 

it would get a direct link to Azerbaijan's mainland and to Central Asia.  

Just a few days after retaking Karabakh, Turkey’s President 

Erdogan and Aliyev rushed to this meeting in Nakhchivan, 

suggesting that this could be their next focus.  

Turkish and Azerbaijani military held exercises here, 

further stoking Armenian fears. Such a connection would also strengthen 

the Organization of Turkic States, a cooperation championed by Turkey.  

During their last summit, President Erdogan mobilized support for the issue:  

The opening of the line will not only contribute 

to the well-being of all countries in the region but will also connect

Turkey with its ancestral homeland — Central Asia.  

For the successful completion of this phase, we as the Turkic world 

must continue to support Azerbaijan.  

But this newly opened consulate building shows there is one more 

power here, which has been blocking Turkey and Russia so far.  

It's Iran. Tehran sees the “Zangezur corridor” 

as strengthening the influence of Turkey, which is a 

regional rival and a NATO member. Opening a new consulate in 

the south of Armenia, right next to Azerbaijan's border, was 

seen as support for Yerevan and deterrence to Baku.  

But behind Tehran's blockade there is also its own economic interest.  

Today a lot of transport between Central Asia and Turkey goes  

through Iran. An alternative connection 

would mean economic losses for Tehran.  

That’s why Iran offered Azerbaijan a new train connection 

to the exclave via its own territory.  

It is now being developed. Azerbaijan and Turkey now 

say Armenia will miss out if it doesn’t give way.  

But a connection via Iran won’t provide them with what they want most: 

a route without border controls. The European Union is 

getting involved as well. On the one hand, it is buying gas 

from Azerbaijan via a pipeline to Italy, so it doesn’t 

want any escalation that could disturb supply.

On the other hand, it is supporting Armenia and recently started 

an observation mission on Armenia’s borders.

And the US is also against any connections via Iran. 

But Brussels and Washington are far away.  

The worry in Armenia is that it could be arm-twisted into 

concessions by Azerbaijan working together with Turkey and Russia.  

However, there are signs of hope, like this exchange of prisoners of war.  

Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed to it as a trust-building measure.  

Steps like this should help to negotiate a peace treaty.

A legacy of conflict lingers over both countries.  

Azerbaijan is emboldened by recent victories 

and has a strong negotiating position.  

People in Armenia are ready to accept even a bad peace deal. 

Even if there will be a peace deal which mostly will be 

in favor of Azerbaijan. Because no peace deal 

means another escalation. Agreeing to lay down arms and 

signing the peace treaty could take priority now.  

With no compromise on transport connection in sight, the issue 

could be postponed. I'm not sure that it will 

be reflected in the treaty. Maybe the principle of the opening 

of transportation links will be there, but the modalities and 

some other details will be in a separate document.  

So, what about the abandoned train station in Meghri?  

At least for now it remains neglected.

But ultimately opening connections like this one will be necessary 

to reach a long-lasting peace. Of course, I'm not speaking 

about the near future, but in the long term, 

with generational change, it might bring indeed durable peace.  

Of course this could not happen within several months 

or even several years. But in the long term, if regional 

communications are open, definitely this will mean 

more interaction between people and more interaction 

definitely leads to more understanding of each other.  

If that one day succeeds, here in the Zangezur mountains people will 

finally be able to live and cross peacefully, 

without having to fear another war.