Secret Negotiations on Karabakh and the Zangezur Corridor: What Declassified U.S. Documents Reveal
Declassified U.S. documents confirm that in the late 1990s, the presidents of Armenia (Robert Kocharyan) and Azerbaijan (Heydar Aliyev) held secret negotiations on territorial exchange. Armenia was supposed to cede Meghri in exchange for control over Karabakh. Turkey and the U.S. actively supported border changes. In 1999, negotiations collapsed after a terrorist attack in the Armenian parliament. After the 2020 war, Azerbaijan revived discussions on the Zangezur Corridor
What Did the Declassified Documents Reveal?
1️⃣ Kocharyan-Aliyev Negotiations
???? In the late 1990s, the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan secretly discussed a territorial swap.
???? Armenia was expected to give up Meghri, a key region bordering Iran, in exchange for full control over Karabakh.
2️⃣ The "Goble Plan" and Turkey’s Influence
???? The idea of a territorial exchange was first introduced in 1992 by U.S. State Department official Paul Goble.
???? In 1997, Turkey officially revived the proposal, advocating for border adjustments.
3️⃣ The 1999 Armenian Parliament Attack
???? In October 1999, just as negotiations were reaching a critical phase, a terrorist attack in the Armenian parliament occurred.
???? This event derailed the agreements and reshaped Armenian politics.
4️⃣ Zangezur Corridor and Current Realities
???? After the 2020 war, Azerbaijan renewed discussions about a corridor linking Nakhchivan to mainland Azerbaijan.
???? This issue was included in the trilateral ceasefire agreement between Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia.
What Does This Mean for the Region?
???? For Armenia:
- The Zangezur Corridor remains a highly controversial issue, sparking domestic political debates.
- A potential escalation of conflict if negotiations fail.
???? For Azerbaijan:
- Seeking direct access to Nakhchivan through Armenian territory.
- Strengthening ties with Turkey, which strongly supports the project.
???? For Turkey and the U.S.:
- Turkey is actively pushing for the corridor, increasing its influence in the region.
- The U.S. sees regional shifts as a tool to pressure Russia and Iran.
What’s Next?
- Possible new negotiations between Yerevan and Baku.
- Risk of military escalation if no agreement is reached.
- Russia’s role remains crucial in the corridor’s implementation.
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