Azerbaijan Advances Regional Connectivity Agenda at SCO Summit
Samarkand, Uzbekistan – Azerbaijan actively promoted its vision for enhanced regional connectivity, notably the Middle Corridor and the newly-branded “Trump Route of International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP), during the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. Baku is leveraging partnerships and infrastructure projects to balance relations with both regional and global powers, signaling a pragmatic diplomatic approach.
The focus on connectivity stems from a joint effort with Türkiye to fully operationalize the Middle Corridor – a transport route intended to link the two countries and facilitate trade between Europe and Asia. A key component of this vision is the TRIPP, traversing Armenia’s Syunik province to connect Azerbaijan’s mainland with its Nakhchivan exclave. The route was formally recognized in an August 8 Washington declaration. Azerbaijan’s strategy aims to capitalize on the TRIPP’s geographical position to increase transportation volume between China and Europe.
Recent developments underscore Azerbaijan’s commitment to these goals. On August 22, Türkiye commenced construction on a railway line connecting its northeastern Kars province to Nakhchivan, part of the larger Kars-Iğdır-Aralık-Dilucu railway project. This initiative builds upon Azerbaijan’s broader efforts to strengthen ties with Central Asia, as evidenced by ongoing collaborations and agreements (Jamestown, May 8, October 28, 2024; April 23, May 1).
The pursuit of these corridors comes amid complex geopolitical considerations. Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed on next steps toward normalization at a White House summit on August 12, while Iran has expressed concerns regarding the potential implications of a peace agreement (Jamestown, August 12, september 11; Infra.Com,September 5). Despite these challenges, Azerbaijani officials continue to emphasize the economic benefits of the Middle Corridor and TRIPP, actively promoting them on international platforms like the SCO.
