New Maps Printed in Turkey Label Entire Syunik as 'Zangezur Corridor': Turkologist

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has stated that by 2025, Russian peacekeepers must withdraw from 'Azerbaijan's Karabakh region.' According to him, the Russian peacekeeping contingent was supposed to be stationed in Karabakh for 5 years, as per the trilateral agreement between Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia dated November 9, 2020.

'In 2025, Russia must leave that territory. It is written in the agreement, and I believe that Russia will comply with it,' Erdoğan said.

Why is Erdoğan intervening in Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, and what are the implications of this statement? Turkologist Ruben Safrastyan noted in an interview with MediaHub that Erdoğan has demonstrated that Turkey will do everything possible to prevent Russian peacekeepers from remaining in the region after 2025. 'This aspect is important for him. Currently, Turkey is shifting its political direction towards the West. There is an observable anti-Russian stance in their policy, which shows the West that Erdoğan will do everything he can to ensure that the Russians do not remain in Artsakh and leave the region as soon as possible. They are doing this through Azerbaijan's provocations,' said the Turkologist.

Afterwards, will international mechanisms be created for the security of the people of Artsakh following the departure of Russian peacekeepers? The Turkologist dismisses this possibility: 'I do not think so, as Azerbaijan would need to grant permission for international guarantees, and Aliyev will not agree.'

Safrastyan believes that a situation will be created where the people of Artsakh will be compelled to integrate into Azerbaijani society. 'Thus, there will be opportunities for Azerbaijan to carry out ethnic cleansing in Artsakh.'

Regarding the unblocking of roads, Safrastyan mentioned that although Armenia does not accept the idea of a 'Zangezur Corridor', it is written in the declaration of November 9. 'When Azerbaijan and Turkey talk about the 'Zangezur Corridor', they do not mean only the corridor. They also mean the entire Syunik region. The maps printed in Turkey label the entire Syunik as the 'Zangezur Corridor,' he said.

Commenting on the recent deterioration in Russian-Turkish relations, Safrastyan noted that Turkey has deliberately changed its position to demonstrate to the West and the US that it is 'in partnership' with them. 'Turkey is part of the West, a loyal ally of the US, and a member of NATO. It simply allows itself to have a slightly closer relationship with Russia from time to time for its own benefit,' he emphasized.

As for the opening of the Armenia-Turkey border, the Turkologist stated that the Margarit Bridge will not open as long as Armenia has not fulfilled Azerbaijan's demands. 'I am not confident that the Margarit Bridge will open until an agreement based on Azerbaijan's demands is signed between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Turkey will not do anything,' he added.