It is abundantly clear to any observer of the region that Azerbaijan will be indispensable to trade, the international energy market, and infrastructure connectivity—both along its East-West and North-South axes, Serbian political scientist Stefan Antic told Report.

The expert noted that while Baku has the option to completely circumvent Armenia, it has consistently chosen to keep open the prospect of making it part of projects of regional significance, including the much-talked-about Zangazur Corridor, which can become part of the Middle Corridor.

“I think the Azerbaijani leadership knows very well that impoverished, excluded, and humiliated adversaries create safe havens for radical ideologies and are likely to remain sources of security threats in the future. The wise policy of being open to involving Armenia in the region’s multitude of promising development projects and diplomatic initiatives promises to do the opposite,” he stressed.

Antic noted that Baku has been approaching Armenia with a degree of strategic empathy.

“Ever since Azerbaijan completely restored its territorial integrity, the Azerbaijani leadership fully understands how important it is for the victorious side in a conflict to sober-mindedly assess options that could lead to long-term sustainable peace,” he concluded.