Azerbaijan to complete transport infrastructure to Armenian border in H1 2027 - FM

BAKU. Sept 15 (Interfax) - Construction of the motor road and rail links to the Azerbaijani-Armenian border is in the final stages, with completion expected in H1 2027, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said.

"I would like to note that new transport infrastructure in the main part of Azerbaijan is being built at a rapid pace. As for motor roads, they are approximately 95% complete in the main part of Azerbaijan towards the Armenian border, while the railroad is about 75% complete. Both projects are scheduled for completion in H1 2027," Bayramov said at a press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Baku on Tuesday.

Bayramov mentioned that one of the key agreements reached at last year's Washington summit is the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) project, which envisions the construction of transport infrastructure specifically along the 42-kilometer stretch, which is located within Armenian territory and forms an integral part of the Zangezur Corridor.

"The negotiations on the matter are being conducted directly between the United States and Armenia. However, our American partners keep us regularly updated on the progress. I reiterate that while the route involves transport links within Armenian territory, both the entry and exit points lie within Azerbaijani territory - on the Azerbaijani border - and the corridor can only function in this configuration. According to the latest information we have received, design and company-formation activities are currently underway and are expected to conclude this year, with physical construction scheduled to begin in early 2027. That is the most up-to-date information," he said.

Overall, Bayramov said he believes that once physical construction begins, this section could be completed within a relatively short timeframe. This is because the territory involved is limited in extent, covering a distance of slightly more than 40 kilometers, he said.

"It is also possible to complete this quite quickly, thereby establishing a direct connection linking the main part of Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan via Armenia, and subsequently connecting Nakhchivan to Turkey. As we noted, given the existing access to the major transport infrastructures of Turkey and Azerbaijan, this will create a vital new connectivity route extending from Europe via Turkey and Azerbaijan to Central Asia," he added.