A European Commission delegation led by Adrienn Kiraly, Director for Eastern Neighbourhood and Turkey at the Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood, visited Nakhchivan. There, the prospects for the development of transport and energy projects in the region were discussed with the Azerbaijani side.
The delegation was received by Jeyhun Jalilov, the authorized representative of the President of Azerbaijan in Nakhchivan. During the meeting, the parties discussed the development of relations between Azerbaijan and the European Union, as well as opportunities for expanding economic cooperation.
Particular attention was paid to Nakhchivan's transport potential and the so-called "Zangezur corridor." Jalilov stated that Nakhchivan is of strategic importance as a region located at the crossroads of the East–West and North–South transport routes.
The representative of the President of Azerbaijan spoke about the TRIPP project, which Baku considers one of the key elements for expanding regional transport links. According to the Azerbaijani side, the implementation of the project will make it possible to ensure Nakhchivan's land connection with the rest of Azerbaijan's territory.
During the meeting, it was also announced that the planned railway line should connect Nakhchivan with Turkey. The Azerbaijani side linked the prospects for launching these transport routes to the signing of a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia, stating that this would create new opportunities for the development of regional communications and increase their economic significance.
The parties also discussed Nakhchivan's energy potential. The Azerbaijani side presented projects in the field of renewable energy, including the construction of the Tivi and Ordubad hydroelectric power plants.
In addition, there was talk of possibly connecting Nakhchivan's energy infrastructure to the Jabrayil energy hub, which, as stated in Baku, would make it possible to export electricity produced in the region to Turkey and subsequently bring it to broader energy markets.
This visit shows that the European Union is trying to become more actively involved in the region's transport and energy projects. The focus is on Nakhchivan, through which the East–West and North–South routes pass.
Baku links the prospect of the "Zangezur corridor" to a peace treaty with Armenia. This means that the implementation of transport projects largely depends on the political process, and not only on economic calculations.
Armenia's position on this issue is key, but the meeting became known only through the Azerbaijani side's account. How Yerevan will react and whether the projects will move forward is still unclear.
