US Proposes to Take Control of Transport Corridor in Syunik for 100 Years

The United States has proposed to take control of the transport corridor in Syunik between Armenia and Azerbaijan in order to expedite diplomatic efforts for peace between the two South Caucasian countries. This was announced by the US Ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barak, during a press briefing held last Friday, as reported by Middle East Eye.

According to Barak, the US has offered to lease a 32-kilometer stretch of the road for 100 years and transfer it to an American private company as a neutral mediator. Washington believes this could eliminate mutual distrust and accelerate the signing of a peace treaty.

“They are arguing over a 32-kilometer road, and this has been going on for ten years. So, America says, ‘Okay, we will take it. Give us the road for a hundred years, and everyone will be able to benefit from it,’” Barak said during a meeting with reporters in New York.

According to the Carnegie Endowment, the proposal is based on a similar suggestion from the EU and envisions that an American logistics company would oversee the transportation of goods along the route, providing both sides with transparent data.