New Nakhchivan railway promises economic gains for Azerbaijan, EU

The Nakhchivan railway project is expected to bring benefits to both Azerbaijan and the European Union, a European Commission representative told Trend.

Recalling the January 2026 visit of H.E. Gert-Jan Koopman, Director-General for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy, to Baku, the representative noted that high-level meetings were held with Azerbaijani ministers and officials to advance EU-Azerbaijan relations and reaffirm EU support for efforts to normalise and develop regional cooperation.

“Discussions focused on strengthening economic ties, enhancing connectivity along the Trans-Caspian transport corridor, and deepening energy cooperation. There is a shared interest in further developing the EU-Azerbaijan partnership, particularly in areas that promote regional stability, sustainable economic growth, and connectivity between Europe and Asia. In this context, an agreement was reached to launch a feasibility study for the Nakhchivan railway project. This investment will translate geopolitical commitments into concrete infrastructure, strengthen the Trans-Caspian transport corridor, and benefit both Azerbaijan and the European Union,” the Commission representative said.

The EU official emphasised that a central priority for the European Union is “supporting the peaceful resolution process between Azerbaijan and Armenia through confidence-building measures, as well as implementing our Interregional Connectivity Agenda, recognising the strategic importance of the Middle Corridor for regional stability and economic integration.”

He added that under the EU’s Global Gateway initiative and the Interregional Connectivity Agenda, both sides agreed to deepen cooperation in transport, energy, digital technologies, and trade.

“Our shared goal is to establish sustainable and reliable transport links that foster economic opportunities, long-term cooperation, and regional prosperity. Together with Azerbaijan, we share an ambitious vision for connectivity that strengthens peace and stability, modernises infrastructure, and unlocks the full potential of the Trans-Caspian transport corridor. A concrete example of this cooperation is the recent agreement between the European Union and Azerbaijan, alongside the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), to launch the feasibility study for the Nakhchivan railway project. This project represents a key investment to improve mobility and economic flows in Azerbaijan and the broader region, forming an integral part of the Trans-Caspian corridor, with a target transit time between Europe and Central Asia of 15 days,” the representative said.

He further noted that the European Commission views the Nakhchivan railway development as a joint strategic priority, turning geopolitical commitments into tangible infrastructure that can serve as a foundation for sustainable peace and prosperity, while complementing US participation in the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP) project.

“Alongside investments in ‘hard’ infrastructure, we will also support measures to develop ‘soft’ infrastructure and regulatory harmonisation in line with our Connectivity Agenda,” he concluded.

By Jeyhun Aghazada