Azerbaijan’s Geopolitical Struggle and the Strategic Significance of the Zengezur Corridor
For over a hundred years Azerbaijan has fought to restore its entire national territory and its independence through conflicts with external actors and shifting powers in world politics. The long-standing territorial conflicts which started in late 19th and early 20th century between Azerbaijan and Armenia have triggered severe consequences for both national unity in Azerbaijan and stability in the region. The Zengezur corridor maintains critical importance for Azerbaijan because it serves as a historical connection between two Azerbaijan territories while representing national survival from ancestral division.
Zengezur Corridor: A Critical Geographical and Strategic Link
Economic decline along with adverse geopolitical effects emerged from the disconnected Nakhchivan region from Azerbaijan and its other territories since 1980s. The Zengezur province has always belonged to Azerbaijan until Soviet officials seized it for Armenia which intensified regional tensions. In 1929 Soviet authorities executed their plan to hand control of Zengezur to Armenia which served their purpose of splitting Azerbaijani lands while breaking down unity between Turkish people.
Historical documentation from both the Ottoman Empire and Russia proves that Zengezur was primarily inhabited by Azerbaijanis as per Russian sources and multiple Ottoman Empire records show Azerbaijani presence along Iranian borders. The strategic value of Zengezur continues to affect Azerbaijan’s international relations and economic development plans.
Economic Revival and Energy Integration: Azerbaijan’s Strategic Approach
Since its long history of isolation Nakhchivan region has acted as an economic barrier for Azerbaijan’s achievement of growth. The implementation of the Iğdır-Nakhchivan gas pipeline which began its operations on March 5, 2025 allows Azerbaijan to rebuild its connection infrastructure while safeguarding its energy supply. The Iğdır-Nakhchivan pipeline serves as an economic project that delivers critical importance to regional stability and reconnects Nakhchivan to Türkiye’s Iğdır province.
Through its Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and TANAP pipeline projects Azerbaijan became a fundamental power supplying energy to Europe and the Middle East. These initiatives support stronger bonds with Türkiye and redefine the Eurasian energy sector through which Azerbaijan maintains its strategic role across the region.
Azerbaijan-Türkiye Alliance
The Zengezur corridor restoration process depends heavily on the binding diplomatic relationship between Azerbaijan and Türkiye. The two nations maintain a vital cultural heritage alongside their security and economic partnership which serves as the basis of regional strength. The ongoing development demonstrates a wide-ranging political decision to correct historical division while building a stronger connection between Azerbaijan and Turkey.
Under the guidance of President Ilham Aliyev Azerbaijan has progressed towards economic revival through the leadership principle established by Heydar Aliyev. Azerbaijan’s current economic policy demonstrates its sustained approach towards incorporating Nakhchivan into national economic operations. Azerbaijan’s increasing activism for border sovereignty along with economic expansion makes the recovery of Zengezur territory more progressive than ever.
Conclusion: A Path Toward Unity and Sovereignty
Azerbaijan fights for its territorial integrity to establish not only a geopolitical position but also because this struggle expresses national spirit alongside endurance and social collectivism. Azerbaijan has achieved a vital progress through the Zengezur corridor restoration which secures economic connectivity while strengthening its bilateral strategic partnership with Türkiye. This evolving situation in the South Caucasus ensures that Azerbaijan stands out among regional players who will define its geopolitical structure and economic patterns for multiple years ahead.
