Oriental studies expert: US interested in transport corridor via South Caucasus

p

YEREVAN, August 1. /ARKA/. The United States has shown interest in the Middle Corridor passing through the South Caucasus rather than Russia, according to Ruben Safrastyan, an academician, Turkologist, and advisor to the Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies at the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia./pp

In a broadcast on OTA, Safrastyan highlighted that the US and Turkey have recently used clearer language regarding the Middle Corridor. He noted that high-ranking officials from the US State Department have been discussing the establishment of a land connection between China and Europe, often referred to as the Beijing-London project./pp

Safrastyan emphasized that the USnbsp;has exerted pressure on Turkey for over 30 years to abandon preconditions towards Armenia and normalize Armenian-Turkish relations. He cited various mediation initiatives by Washington in this matter, including the creation of a commission for Armenian-Turkish reconciliation and football diplomacy, which have not achieved their goals but should be viewed within the context of US global policy./pp

According to Safrastyan, there are no significant updates in the process of normalizing Armenian-Turkish relations, with only minor technical steps being agreed upon. However, he pointed out that the continuation of the negotiation process itself is important despite the preconditions, obstacles, and demands from Turkey towards Armenia./pp

Safrastyan concluded that despite the challenges, Turkey's ongoing interest in continuing the dialogue is significant./pp br/p