Possible impacts of the Zangezur Corridor on the development of Central Asian states

Central Asia lived in isolation from the rest of the world until the early 21st century. With the terrorist events of September 11, global risks such as terrorist activities, human and drug trafficking, and the spread of expertise in weapons of mass destruction have changed the perspective on the region. In particular, the energy crisis that emerged with the Russia-Ukraine war marked the beginning of policies aimed at improving regional development efforts of the EU with the countries of the region in a pragmatic manner. The decision to open all economic and transportation connections between Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan in accordance with the Nagorno-Karabakh Ceasefire Agreement signed after the 2020 Karabakh War accelerated these policies. This study aims to reveal the findings regarding the political, economic, social and cultural effects that may occur on the Central Asian states with the opening of the Zangezur Corridor, which carries the possibility of ending the isolation since the 16th century.