Baku: President Ilham Aliyev clarified the issue of the Zangezur corridor's impact on the existing Northern Corridor in Iran during an interview with Al Arabiya TV channel, APA reports.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, President Aliyev stated that the Zangezur corridor would provide additional benefits rather than hindrances. He elaborated that the North-South corridor, initially planned to connect Northern Europe, Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, and the Persian Gulf, would be complemented by the new route. This route, which runs through Azerbaijan by the Caspian Sea, already has complete railroad and highway connections between Russia and Iran, except for a section in Iran that requires construction.

In response to a question regarding convergence of the routes, President Aliyev confirmed that they do indeed meet at a point. He explained that the envisioned North-South Corridor is already established on Azerbaijani territory. However, Iran still needs to construct about 150 kilometers of the route, which may take several years.

President Aliyev further explained that the Zangezur corridor could enhance connectivity by providing another route from Northern Europe to Iran via Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Nakhchivan, thus linking to the Persian Gulf. This development would establish the Zangezur Corridor not only as an East-West route but also as a North-South transportation corridor, creating multiple pathways between Russia and Iran through the region.

He emphasized that this would be a mutually beneficial situation for all countries involved, with no disadvantages. He also noted the understanding of the Iranian government regarding the potential benefits and expressed Azerbaijan's commitment to strengthening regional cooperation.