EU official: Washington agreements to bring Europe closer to South Caucasus, Central Asia

EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has stated that the initial peace agreements, signed between Azerbaijani, Armenian and US leaders in Washington on August 8, will bring Europe closer to the South Caucasus and Central Asia.

Following her visit to Azerbaijan in September, Kos told Trend that the European Union welcomes the initialling of the peace agreement text, Caliber.Az reports.

“This is an important step toward lasting peace and stability in the region. A signed and ratified peace agreement will mark the end of past conflicts and have a significant positive impact on regional development. It will open a new chapter of peace and stability. A key element of the agreement is the commitment to expand transport and logistics connectivity. This will not only strengthen links within the region but also bring Europe closer to the South Caucasus and Central Asia. Azerbaijan can count on the European Union to support the further advancement of the normalisation process, including initiatives on potential cross-border and regional cooperation, reconciliation efforts, and humanitarian issues,” she added.

Kos noted that the European Union will invite the private sector to study investment opportunities in the Trans-Caspian transport corridor.

For the first time in a long period, the prospect of trade routes from Europe to Central Asia via the South Caucasus is becoming a reality, she added.

“My visit to Azerbaijan marked the first step in a broader strategy to connect the EU with the South Caucasus and further on to Asia via the Black Sea region. We aim to strengthen ties with Azerbaijan by developing transport, energy, and digital infrastructure, while considering the prospects of Central Asia. The EU has a positive agenda for Azerbaijan, with concrete proposals to stimulate economic development and sustainable growth. This brings significant economic, political, and strategic benefits for Azerbaijan, which are crucial for the development of the Middle Corridor. In this context, Azerbaijan is a key partner in the Trans-Caspian transport corridor,” she said.

The EU commissioner emphasised that Europe and Azerbaijan share a common interest in ensuring the successful operation of the corridor.

“In the coming months, we will clarify these intentions: on October 9–10, the second Global Gateway forum will be held in Brussels, and on October 20, we will host a ministerial meeting on security and transport connectivity between the regions. By the end of the year, we will also invite the private sector to explore investment opportunities in the Trans-Caspian transport corridor,” Kos added.

She also noted that the EU is ready to cooperate with the Azerbaijani government on the restoration, modernisation, and rehabilitation of routes that bring Europe closer to the region.

“Our strategy builds on Europe’s experience. European cooperation has been successful because we began working on concrete areas of mutual interest between countries that were previously historical adversaries. Transport and logistics can become similar foundations for relations between Azerbaijan and the EU, as well as with the wider South Caucasus region. Both sectors are key economic areas with significant political importance—for businesses and citizens alike. I am confident that successful cooperation in these fields can elevate relations between Azerbaijan and Europe to a new, positive level,” she said.

The EU Commissioner also added that Azerbaijan can count on the European Union to support the further advancement of the normalisation process with Armenia.

By Khagan Isayev