Erdogan: Iran 'views positively' a land corridor linking Turkey to Azerbaijan
Turkish President Erdogan said Iran, which has opposed a land corridor linking Turkey to Azerbaijan, is now changing its tune.
ANKARA — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday that Iran is now warming up to a joint Turkish-Azeri plans to set up a transport corridor connecting Turkey to Azerbaijan via Armenia.
Speaking on his way back from the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhchivan, Erdogan reiterated his country’s resolve to set up the corridor through which Ankara is seeking to boost its trade ties with Azerbaijan and Central Asia. “Establishment of this corridor is very important for Turkey and Azerbaijan. This is a strategic issue and must be completed,” he said.
Iran has in the past opposed the plan on the grounds that it would cut off the transport routes connecting its territories to Armenia. Without elaborating on the nature of the positive signals now coming out of the country, Erdogan said, “It is pleasing to see positive signals from Iran on this issue."
The so-called Zangezur corridor aims to connect the Azeri exclave of Nakhchivan, bordering Turkey, to mainland Azerbaijan through the southern Armenian province of Syunik. Armenia opposes the plans on the grounds that it would violate its sovereignty.
