ArmInfo.Our leadership could well have bypassed the threat of the "Zangezur Corridor" by declaring the country open. Former Head of the Central Bank of Armenia, economist Bagrat Asatryan, expressed a similar opinion to ArmInfo.
"The pressure of Turkey and Azerbaijan in the issue of providing them with an actual corridor through the territory of the Syunik region of Armenia, as we see, continues. And all this could have been avoided if back in 2020 the Armenian leadership would have declared the country open and really opened roads for all types of transport. This would be a very important, timely step, which, with proper calculations, could automatically neutralize that threat," he said.
In the context of the actually launched process of normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations, Asatryan noted that Armenia cannot afford an eternal blockade. Accordingly, in his opinion, steps towards eliminating problems in relations with neighboring countries are a necessity for Armenia. The economist noted that at one time, back in the early 1990s, the then leadership of the country, realizing the impossibility of long-term enmity, began to improve relations with Turkey.
"Then we registered certain successes, and I would very much like the resumption of these contacts. In this light, I would like to note that the same air communication between Armenia and Turkey existed earlier and both Armenian and Turkish airlines flew. As for relations with Azerbaijan, then unblocking transport communications in this direction is undoubtedly beneficial for Armenia. First of all, due to the fact that in this way, of course, over time, we will get reliable and inexpensive access to Russia, "he said.
In this light, the economist emphasized the unreliability and danger due to the periodic avalanches of the only existing route through the Caucasus Mountains from Armenia to Russia on the Georgian Military Highway. Asatryan also stressed the high cost of ferry crossings from the Georgian Black Sea ports. At the same time according to his estimates, Armenia will receive the shortest, including railway, access to Iran through the territory of Nakhichevan.
"Given the lack of railway communication with Iran, Armenia has lost a lot in terms of developing the existing potential of trade and economic relations. Thus, our interest in unblocking communications, in view of the prospects contained in this, is beyond doubt. I think that concrete economic benefits woul flow with the beginning of the process of movement of goods and passengers after the opening of roads. We are talking about the restoration of lost opportunities, which, over time, I hope, will be realized in specific contracts and projects, "Asatryan summed up.
