Robert Ustyan: Why do I get news about the Zangezur corridor not from the Armenian press but from the Turkish one?

Speaking with Alpha News, political scientist Robert Ustyan noted that in the concept of the Turkic states, the “Zangezur corridor” means the so-called middle corridor, which should become a route for transshipment of goods from China.

“In 2021, the so-called concept of the Turkic world until 2040 was adopted. The Organization of Turkic States is one of the influential tools of Turkish foreign policy, and I understand the statements very well, because in the concept of the Turkic states, the Zangezur corridor project means the so-called middle corridor, which should become a route for transshipment of goods from China. That is, this is the ancient Silk Road from China to the European countries of the European Union, bypassing Russia. You know that Ursula von der Leyen and many other officials support this Zangezur corridor project, which is an important aspect.

Therefore, let’s look at this not just as Turkey’s attempt to make money but as a concept where it is dominant. Perhaps not all of our viewers followed, but in early November, the so-called forum of the Organization of Turkic States ended in Bishkek, where they discussed the idea of intensifying the so-called middle corridor and creating an analogue of the IMF, that is, the Turkic investment fund, which will sponsor projects in this region and in the Turkic states.

For Turkey, this is not just a road connecting it and the Turkic world; it is the concept of domination in this region, through strengthening the positions of the global north. This is the arrival of Western countries and Western corporations here, and, of course, pushing Russia out of this region. Because they see the problem in Russian interests here and, based on their geopolitical and economic interests, they want Russia to stay outside the region. Therefore, Armenia must carefully weigh its role in the entire concept of the Turkic world,” the expert said.

After the arrival of the Trump administration, we will need to understand with what rules this world will enter a new era, the political scientist noted.

“I am very skeptical about this so-called Trans-Caspian international transport route, because I believe that until the current geopolitical situation between the West and Russia or the global south is resolved, there can be no corridors at all. After the arrival of the Trump administration, we will need to understand with what rules this world will enter a new era, post Pax Americana, as I call it. If we don’t get an answer to this question, then logistics, corridors, and so on become very subjective,” Ustyan stressed.