Pundit: Washington summit marks turning point for South Caucasus

The historic Washington summit between the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and the United States has been described as a pivotal moment for the South Caucasus, capable of reshaping influence maps and trade routes in the region.

According to UAE political analyst Salem Al-Ketbi, writing for Israel’s Channel 7, the agreements reached during the summit on August 8, 2025, go far beyond routine diplomatic events. 

Mediated by US President Donald Trump, the deal between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan establishes the strategic Zangezur Corridor, linking Azerbaijan’s mainland to its Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic through southern Armenian territories, before continuing through Türkiye to Europe.

“This corridor traverses a sensitive region and forms part of the ‘Middle Corridor’ project, connecting Central Asia to the European continent while bypassing Iranian and Russian territory,” Al-Ketbi noted.

The corridor, he added, is not only a transport route but a comprehensive economic project, featuring logistics hubs, customs centres, and commercial and industrial service zones. Analysts say it could revitalise key sectors in both Azerbaijan and Armenia, offering new access to European and Central Asian markets.

“For Europe, the corridor represents a strategic diversification of trade and energy routes, an imperative highlighted by the continent’s recent energy crises following the war in Ukraine,” Al-Ketbi said.

The corridor is also expected to geographically isolate Iran from one of the region’s main transit routes. Beyond economics, experts suggest the project could enhance regional security and stability, turning the South Caucasus into a crucial bridge between East and West.

By Aghakazim Guliyev