Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev spoke yesterday in Nakhchivan to Azerbaijan State Television (AzTV) about the Zangezur corridor, the TRIPP project, Nakhchivan's transport and energy potential, as well as infrastructure projects being implemented in the region.
Modern.az presents 14 important messages voiced by the head of state during that interview.
The President stated that the Zangezur corridor is Azerbaijan's initiative and should ensure direct connection between the main part of the country and Nakhchivan.
According to him, over the past five years, Russia has been unable to ensure the implementation of the agreements reached on the opening of the Zangezur corridor.
Ilham Aliyev noted that Armenia has delayed the opening of communications. The President called on Armenia not to delay the creation of an energy line passing through its territory, stating that this project could also be beneficial for Armenia's energy system.
According to the President, after the US joined the process, a new impetus was given to the implementation of the project. Ilham Aliyev stated that the implementation of the TRIPP project has already begun.
The head of state noted that the construction of a 42-kilometer railway section in Armenia is planned to begin in 2026. The Azerbaijani railway is planned to reach the Armenian border in 2027.
In addition, it was emphasized that work on the Horadiz–Aghband highway is almost complete.
In Nakhchivan, the reconstruction of a 194-kilometer railway is planned. As a result of this project, the annual cargo capacity of the railway is expected to increase from approximately 1.5 million tons to at least 15 million tons.
Ilham Aliyev stated that Azerbaijan is considering the possibility of attracting foreign investors to the project. However, the main condition remains that the controlling stake belongs to Azerbaijan.
According to the President, Nakhchivan should become one of the important hubs of the East–West and North–South transport corridors in the future.
Within the framework of the TRIPP project, it will be possible to lay not only roads and railways, but also power lines, optical fiber cables, oil and gas pipelines in the future.
From Ilham Aliyev's statements, it also appears that Azerbaijan attaches special importance to the formation of an energy connection through Nakhchivan to Turkey and then to Europe.
A new power plant with a capacity of 300 megawatts is being built in Nakhchivan. The region's solar energy potential is estimated to be between 500-1000 megawatts.
In addition, work is underway in Nakhchivan to create an industrial park, modernize roads and railway infrastructure, as well as public transport.
According to the President's main message, Nakhchivan should become an important transport, energy, and logistics center of the region in the future, and TRIPP should become a multifunctional corridor connecting Azerbaijan, Turkey, and international markets.
