Azerbaijan and Iran have signed a memorandum of agreement to create new communication linkages across Iranian territory between the East Zangezur economic zone and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

The document was signed on March 11 in Baku by Azerbaijan's Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev and Iran's Minister of Roads and Urban Development Rostam Ghasemi during the 15th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Iran State Commission for Economic, Trade, and Humanitarian Cooperation.

The signing of a memorandum of agreement between Azerbaijan and Iran, according to Presidential Aide Hikmet Hajiyev, is a historic occasion.

He stated that the head of state maintains this crucial transportation and communication project in the forefront of his mind at all times, and that the relevant structures have been given orders to carry it out.

"The long-term policy of Armenia on the embargo of Nakhchivan will come to an end as a consequence of the realisation of this project. Automobile, railway, and electric power communication would be built between the two districts of Azerbaijan - Eastern Zangezur and Nakhchivan - across Iranian territory," he stated.

Hajiyev pointed out that the project alters the overall transportation and communication landscape in the area, noting that it connects Azerbaijan, Iran, and Turkey, laying the groundwork for a new Eurasia corridor that includes roads, railroads, power lines, and digital communications.

"On the 30th anniversary of the beginning of diplomatic ties between Azerbaijan and Iran, the memorandum will be signed. Friendship, mutual trust, and local connections between the two nations have played an essential role in the implementation of this project over the last 30 years," he stated.

On March 11, the Azerbaijan-Iran State Commission on Economic, Trade, and Humanitarian Cooperation conducted its 15th meeting in Baku.

From the Azerbaijani side, Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev and other state and government members attend the meeting, while from the Iranian side, Roads and Urban Development Minister Rostam Ghasemi and other officials attend.

It was decided that the next meeting of the State Commission for Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Iran will be held in Tehran.

According to Ghasemi, a roadmap has been put out between the two countries in several areas.

He mentioned that one of the Iranian government's priorities is to improve relations with its neighbours. "The activation of transportation routes that will connect our nations is a priority," he added.

Both nations have also resolved to expand actions related to border checks, according to Ghasemi. In turn, Shahin Mustafayev stated that the two bridges between Azerbaijan and Iran will be erected.

Along with this, during their visit to Ankara, the presidents of Azerbaijan and Turkey agreed to accelerate the construction of railway from Nakhchivan to Kars, which makes the exit from the Armenian Gyumri to Kars pointless and secondary to Turkey. So, there is a possibility that Armenian-Turkish normalisation will fully depend on Armenia's flexibility in issues with Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijani politician Ahmad Alili said, “President Aliyev sent a letter to the Iranian President on the 30th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations.”

The letter contains several interesting comments, but the most interesting is the following paragraph:

"Undoubtedly, the restoration of the Azerbaijani-Iranian state border as a result of the liberation of our historical, ancient lands has created favourable conditions for the full use of the existing potential in various fields, joint participation in the implementation of transport and communication corridors. In this regard, I would like to emphasise the importance of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the establishment of new communication links between the East Zangezur economic region of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic…. So, no more Zangezur corridor passing from the Southern Armenian regions?” he concludes.

Farhad Mammadov, an Azerbaijani political scientist and expert of the Valdai International Discussion Club flagged that "the Memorandum signed between Iran and Azerbaijan on the construction of transport infrastructure from liberated areas of East Zangezur to Iran and beyond to Nakhchivan and Turkey is a demonstration of Azerbaijan's intention to promote its own plan in the region. To do this, Baku has resources, both financial and organisational; and the ability to link national interests with the interests of interested neighbours in the region."

"Azerbaijan has solved a question of principle for itself: land access to Nakhchivan and further to Turkey without obligation to open communications for Armenia! This is a very important element since the opening of communications meant the opening of all communications, now Baku does not have such obligations and Iran will have to ask Baku to open railways to Iran and Russia on its territory, as well as the possible use Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railroad," he added.

"If earlier, the opening of communications for Armenia was in exchange for the opening of the Zangezur Corridor, then now the conditions will be different - probably, a peace treaty with recognition of territorial integrity," Mammadov flagged.