Azerbaijan Initiates Fuel Shipments to Armenia in Landmark Move

WISE NEWS PRESS / BAKU, AZERBAIJAN — DECEMBER 19, 2025

Following the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Azerbaijan and Armenia have taken a significant step toward normalization as the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) commenced its first shipment of petroleum products to Armenia. This gesture of goodwill coincides with reports of substantial progress in negotiations regarding the strategic Zangezur Corridor, which aims to link mainland Azerbaijan with its exclave, Nakhchivan.

First Direct Fuel Trade Established

The historic shipment consists of 1,220 tons of 95-octane gasoline loaded onto 1,022 wagons. According to the Azerbaijan State News Agency (AZERTAC), the cargo is being transported via Georgia using Azerbaijan Railways freight lines. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan welcomed the move, stating that while the trade is conducted between private companies, the established peace between the two nations has provided the necessary political foundation for such cooperation.

Progress on the Zangezur Corridor

Negotiations have intensified regarding the Zangezur Corridor, a transportation route expected to be built through Armenia's Syunik region. Based on the post-war ceasefire and peace agreements, the corridor is intended to establish a direct link between Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. While Armenia previously opposed the project over sovereignty concerns, current reports indicate significant headway in ensuring the corridor operates without Armenian checkpoints, functioning as a bridge across the Turkic world.

Strategic Impact on Regional Transit

The operationalization of the Zangezur Corridor is poised to transform regional logistics by connecting Nakhchivan to both Azerbaijan and Turkey. Beyond bilateral benefits, the corridor is envisioned as a vital link in the broader transit-transportation line connecting China and Central Asia to Europe via Azerbaijan and Turkey. This development is expected to provide Azerbaijan and Turkey with direct access to Mediterranean markets and western countries through a streamlined land route.

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