EU pursuing its own interests in South Caucasus - expert 

ArmInfo.The EU, as well as the Collective West, is pursuing its own interests in the South Caucasus,  Hermine Mkhitaryan, an expert for the Insight analytical center, told ArmInfo as she commented on a statement by Ms Adrienn Kiraly, Director for DG NEAR Directorate C, Neighbourhood East and Institution Building, European Commission. 

On May 14, at the EBRD forum "The role of South Caucasus in  developing sustainable transport, trade and energy routes", Ms  Adrienn Kiraly highlighted the importance of rapprochement between  Armenia and Azerbaijan, as it facilitate the unblocking of regional  transport links between Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey and Armenia.  According to her, the Russian-Ukrainian conflict destroyed the former  trade ties, which necessitated the development of trade routes  between Europe and Asia that would bypass Russia. 

According to the expert, the EU's main goal is to weaken Russia and  create favorable conditions to ensure transport and energy  communication between Europe, the Caucasus and Asia. This is the  reason what the West views as highly important the communications  expected to be built in Armenia. "Locally, we could speak of  communication between West Azerbaijan and Nakhichevan. However, a  global view of the project allows us to speak of Europe-Caucasus-Asia  communication, which has been clearly stated. They are clearly  stating they need a road that would have nothing in common with  Russia or be under Russia n control," Ms Mkhitaryan said. 

The EU's arguments that the Russian-Ukrainian conflict has disrupted  the operation of many international logistic chains are nothing but a  pretext. Globally, given the view of the issue by Turkiye and  Azerbaijan, all the parties need the so-called 'Zangezur corridor',  which is not mentioned directly.  Russia needs as it seeks to  establish direct ties with Armenia, the West and Armenia need it as  well. The Armenian state's security is of secondary importance for  the EU, however. Of importance for the EU is a route for forming the  Europe-Caucasus-Asia axis bypassing Russia, but efficient operation  of the route requires peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan. 

"We are not witnessing active efforts by Ankara and Baku. All the  parties wants to have a corridor, but all of them have their own  views on and interests in the route," Ms Mkhitaryan said. Baku and  Ankara attach high importance to this communication, which stems from  the idea of re-creation of Turan and unification of the Turkic world.  As to the tactics of Turkiye and Azerbaijan, it has some fine points.  The states in question are not "tuned to" anti-Russian or anti-West  sentiments. Rather, they seek to get a corridor, after which they  would start negotiations with the sponsor-state. 

Ms Mkhitaryan recalled that the idea of creating the so-called  "Zangezur corridor" is not new at all. It was put forward immediately  after the 2020 war. The trilateral statement by the Armenian,  Azerbaijani and Russian leaders of November 9, 2020, does not contain  any mention of the "Zangezur corridor". But the document emphasizes a  need for restoration of economic ties that would be under Moscow's  control. The West-sought goal does not imply any simplified cargo  transportation procedure nor is the legal status of the road of  importance for the West. However, Europe could raise the issue in the  future. 

As regards the position of Armenia's incumbent authorities, Ms  Mkhitaryan noted that it is actually refusing the concept of the  trilateral statement of November 9, 2020. The Armenian side is  insisting on its sovereign right to the transport communications in  Armenia's territory though the context of the trilateral statement is  different.  

"But there is an interesting fine point here as well. Official  Yerevan is using various terms only to get the same corridor. In  fact, Yerevan, using a number of terms, is repeating what Baku is  saying. An example is Armenian Premier Nikol Pashinyan's statement  that the Armenian side is not discussing the issues of the Zangezur  corridor, but it is ready to grant communications benefits. This is  evidence of the following: all the parties are interested in opening  the corridor, but each one has its own interests," the experts.