The European Union (EU) intends to intensify cooperation with Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Turkey as part of a new strategy for the development of Black Sea and transport-energy links. Operative Information Center-OMM reports that European Commissioner Marta Kos made the announcement in Luxembourg ahead of the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting.
According to the Commissioner, a central element of the new strategy is a connectivity agenda aimed at strengthening ties between Europe and Central Asia. "Today we see how important and correct the decision to adopt the European Commission's new strategy for the Black Sea was, of which the connectivity agenda is an integral part. To better connect Europe with Central Asia, we are developing cooperation with Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey," Kos noted. She emphasized that the focus is primarily on the development of trade and energy routes, highlighting the vulnerability of northern routes through Russia and southern routes through Iran due to ongoing geopolitical tensions.
This initiative aligns with the growing importance of the Middle Corridor, a strategic transit route where Azerbaijan plays a central role in connecting East and West. By enhancing regional cooperation in the South Caucasus, the EU seeks to secure stable energy and trade logistics that bypass traditional routes. During the meeting, ministers are expected to discuss further concrete steps and projects to deepen interaction with regional states, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the trans-continental supply chain.
