Key facts
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is visiting Azerbaijan and Armenia.
- The visit aims to strengthen energy cooperation, trade, and support the peace process between the two nations.
- The EU seeks to bolster Armenia against Russian economic coercion.
- Azerbaijan's expanded energy supplies to Europe and the Middle Corridor transport route are key discussion points.
- The EU will present a support package to Armenia following its pro-Western pivot.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is undertaking a significant visit to Azerbaijan and Armenia to deepen the European Union's engagement in the South Caucasus. The trip, which includes meetings with Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev in Baku and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Yerevan, focuses on four key priorities: advancing the peace process between the two nations, enhancing regional and European connectivity, deepening economic partnerships, and supporting Armenia amidst Russian economic pressure.
In Baku, discussions are expected to center on Azerbaijan's role in expanding energy supplies to Europe, particularly through the Southern Gas Corridor, and cooperation on crucial regional infrastructure projects. Azerbaijan is a key energy supplier to Europe, with 10 EU member states receiving its natural gas. The Middle Corridor, a transport route connecting Asia and Europe via the South Caucasus, is highlighted as a strategic alternative to traditional routes, offering a shorter and more secure transit option.
The visit to Yerevan will see the EU formally present a support package designed to counter what the European Commission terms "Russian economic coercion" against Armenia. This initiative follows Yerevan's recent pro-Western pivot and aims to bolster Armenia's economy, particularly its agri-food sector, which has faced restrictions from Moscow. The EU's engagement underscores a broader strategy to foster stability and economic resilience in the South Caucasus region.