Turkish Ambassador Praises Azerbaijan’s Occupation of Artsakh, Pushes for “Zangezur Corridor”

In a recent interview with Turkish media, Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan Birol Akgün openly praised Azerbaijan’s military takeover of Artsakh and expressed strong support for a proposed project called the “Zangezur corridor” — a route that would cut through Armenia. His words have sparked concern among Armenians, as they reflect a larger plan that threatens Armenia’s territorial integrity and national security.

Ambassador Akgün described the occupation of Artsakh by Azerbaijan not as a tragedy or conflict, but as a “concrete result” of what he called the “one nation, two states” relationship between Turkey and Azerbaijan. He proudly pointed to Turkey’s “strong moral and political support” during the 2020 war, when thousands of Armenians were killed, injured, and forced to flee their homes.

“The relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan… turned into concrete results in critical periods,” he said, referring specifically to the war over Artsakh. His comments show how Turkey views the military violence as a successful outcome — not just for Azerbaijan, but for a broader plan that involves other Turkic nations.

Akgün went on to share Turkey’s excitement about the so-called “Zangezur corridor” — a land route that would connect Azerbaijan to its exclave, Nakhichevan, by cutting through southern Armenia. This would give direct access between Turkey and Azerbaijan, and ultimately create a trade path stretching “from China to London.”

“After the signing of the peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia and the opening of the Zangezur corridor, the prospect of the Central Corridor of the Turkic World will get a huge development,” Akgün said. “We support this project.”

While Turkey and Azerbaijan talk about “development” and “prosperity,” the reality for Armenia is different. The so-called Zangezur corridor is not just about trade. It threatens Armenia’s sovereignty. The plan would give Azerbaijan control over a strip of land in Armenia’s Syunik province — a vital and historic region that connects Armenia to Iran and plays a key role in Armenia’s security and economy.

The idea of such a corridor is seen by many Armenians as a form of modern-day imperialism, where powerful neighbors use economic and military pressure to redraw borders and reshape the region without Armenia’s full consent.

This vision of a united “Turkic World” — stretching from China to Europe — is not new. Turkey has long promoted the idea of cultural and political unity among Turkic nations. But in recent years, this vision has taken on a more aggressive form, with support for military action and pressure on non-Turkic neighbors like Armenia.

By openly praising the occupation of Artsakh and tying it to the future of the “Turkic World,” the Turkish ambassador is sending a clear message: Armenia is in the way of a bigger plan. And unless the international community pays attention, Armenia could face more threats to its land, people, and independence.

The Armenian people have faced genocide, war, and displacement before. Now, they face a new kind of threat — one that is being framed as a development project, but hides ambitions of control and domination. Armenians around the world, as well as human rights advocates and democratic nations, must stay alert and speak out.

–

Support independent reporting from the region by subscribing to The Armenian Report. Our team is funded solely by readers like you.