ArmInfo.The opening of the "Zangezur corridor" aligns with France's interests in Central Asian uranium, says political scientist Vahe Davtyan.
The expert recalled that on February 10, a meeting was held at the Elysee Palace between French President Emmanuel Macron and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. In this vein, he pointed out that this is Pashinyan's ninth visit to Paris as prime minister. He then touched upon Armenian-French cooperation in the defense sector, noting that the first agreement on this cooperation between Paris and Yerevan was signed in 2010. According to the expert, Paris's strategy is mainly focused on transport and logistics interests. Davtyan recalled that France is one of the global leaders in nuclear energy.
"Stable supplies of nuclear fuel for Paris are a priority for national energy security. After the military coup in Niger in 2023, France faced problems with uranium supplies. In the context of the special operation in Ukraine, transport routes from Central Asia to Russia and further to Europe were effectively paralyzed. The only, or most expedient, alternative route is the so-called ''Middle Corridor'' - Central Asia - South Caucasus (Georgia) - Turkey - Europe," the expert believes.
Davtyan noted that the intensification of military cooperation with Armenia fits into Paris's strategy to strengthen its position at the key link of the international East-West corridor - in the South Caucasus. He believes that if transport communications in the region are unblocked and, in particular, the so-called "Zangezur Corridor" Armenia can automatically become part of the "Middle Corridor", ensuring its diversification.
He also noted that the economic situation is rather modest. "In 2024, the foreign trade turnover between Armenia and France amounted to 158 million US dollars, which is 10.7% less than the previous year. At the same time, among EU countries, France is not even the leader in the number of Armenia's trading partners, falling behind Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Belgium," Davtyan concluded.
