BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 6. Azerbaijan is a
key partner along the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, European
Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said in an exclusive
interview with Trend, as she visited Azerbaijan in September.
Key takeaways from visit to Azerbaijan
The Commissioner noted that following the initialling of the
peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the South Caucasus
region is going through a profound transformation.
“At this historic juncture, I came to Baku with a
straightforward message: the EU is ready to support Azerbaijan to
seize this historic opportunity to put our relation into new
political context. This was my first official visit to Azerbaijan.
I met President Ilham Aliyev and expressed my congratulations for
his leadership in the peace process. I announced that we want to
increase our support for demining efforts – the EU is ready to
provide up to EUR 23 million. We discussed a wide range of areas of
mutual interest, including transport connectivity, energy
cooperation, and demining activities,” she said.
Kos pointed out that especially connectivity has gained in
existing geopolitical context much more political significance for
EU but also for Azerbaijan.
“The full potential of the region can be unleashed by bridging
Central Asia and Europe. We also agreed to establish a High-Level
Economic Working Group to explore possibilities to strengthen
EU-Azerbaijan economic cooperation and boost investments,” the EU
Commissioner added.
EU’s role in Middle Corridor’s development
Kos noted that for the first time in generations, the prospect
of trade routes from Europe to Central Asia via the South Caucasus
is becoming a reality.
“My visit to Azerbaijan was a first step in the broader strategy
of connecting EU towards the South Caucasus and further towards
Asia via the Black Sea region. We want to reinforce ties with
Azerbaijan by advancing mobility, energy and digital links, also
looking towards Central Asia. The EU has a positive agenda for
Azerbaijan: a concrete offer to boost economic development and
sustainable growth. This offers significant economic, political and
security benefits for Azerbaijan essential in the development of
the Middle Corridor. In this regard, Azerbaijan is a key partner
along the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor,” she said.
The Commissioner noted that Europe shares an interest with
Azerbaijan to make the corridor a success.
“In the upcoming months, we will make these intentions concrete:
we will convene the second Global Gateway Forum in Brussels on 9-10
October, and we are hosting a Cross-Regional Security and
Connectivity Ministerial on 20 October. Before the end of the year,
we will also invite the private sector to explore investments in
the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor,” Kos added.
Enhancing cooperation in transport within broader
regional connectivity
“Our vision is one routed in our own experience in Europe.
European cooperation became a success because we started to work in
concrete areas of mutual interest between countries that had been
historic foes. Transport and logistics could be those ingredients
for relations between Azerbaijan and the EU, but also with the
wider South Caucasus. Both sectors are crucial economic sectors
with great political significance. For our business, but also for
our citizens. When we turn our cooperation into a success, I am
convinced that it can bring relations between Azerbaijan and Europe
to a new positive reality,” she said.
The Commissioner pointed out that the EU is ready to work with
the government of Azerbaijan on re-building, re-establishing and
re-habilitating the routes that bring Europe closer.
EU perspective on Azerbaijan-Armenia peace
process
Kos noted that the European Union welcomes the initialling of
the peace agreement in Washington.
“This is a major step towards lasting peace and stability in the
region. A signed and ratified peace agreement will mark the end of
past conflicts and have a major positive impact on regional
development. It will open a new chapter of peace and stability. A
key element in the agreement is the commitment to enhanced
connectivity. It 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 further the
normalisation process, including initiatives on possible
cross-border and regional cooperation, reconciliation efforts and
humanitarian issues,” she added.
EU’s view on Russia’s actions against Azerbaijani energy
infrastructure in Ukraine
The Commissioner noted that EU condemns these attacks in the
strongest possible terms.
“These are no coincidence. The EU and Azerbaijan are strong
supporters of Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Russia’s deliberate
targeting of civilian energy infrastructure in Ukraine is
unprovoked and lacks any justification. It is completely
unacceptable and must be ceased immediately. The targeting of
SOCAR’s assets constitutes yet another step in Russia’s relentless
aggression,” Kos noted.
Strengthening EU-Azerbaijan ties through Eastern
Partnership
Kos pointed out that the Eastern Partnership remains an
important framework for the advancement of the peace process and
the broader Cross-Regional Connectivity Agenda.
“It is important to work together with Eastern Partnership
countries and across the Caspian Sea with our partners in Central
Asia. Azerbaijan is a central partner in these efforts. My visit to
Azerbaijan intended to signal the political commitment of the EU to
strengthen the position of Azerbaijan in the Eastern Partnership,
and value its role as a strategic partner to Europe. I believe that
the High-Level Economic Working Group which we launched at the
occasion of my visit will contribute to this ambition,” she
added.
Future EU-Azerbaijan collaboration across key
sectors
“We do not start from scratch. Following the priorities agreed
in the Memorandum of Understanding between President of the
European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President Ilham Aliyev
in July 2022, we will continue to work to strengthen regional
energy connectivity, renewable energy and energy efficiency,” the
Commissioner said.
She noted that strengthening the political dialogue and resuming
cooperation will now be key to this new page in Azerbaijan-EU
relations.
“To advance our partnership, we now need to renew the
EU-Azerbaijan Partnership Priorities. Peace building and
connectivity are top priorities for our future cooperation with
Azerbaijan. I also see great potential to expand and deepen our
cooperation with Azerbaijan in areas such as climate and
environment, education, and trade,” Kos concluded.
