EU and Azerbaijan Strengthen Partnership Under Global Gateway Initiative

Baku, The Gulf Observer: Today, the European Union and Azerbaijan agreed to reinforce their strategic partnership under the EU’s Global Gateway initiative and the recently launched Cross-Regional Connectivity Agenda.

According to the EU office in Azerbaijan, the collaboration aims to unlock new economic opportunities and foster long-term shared prosperity, cooperation, and peace through sustainable and resilient links in transport, digital, energy, and trade sectors.

As part of this framework, the European Union and Azerbaijan, in cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), have agreed to launch a feasibility study for the development of the Nakhchivan railway project. This key investment is expected to enhance mobility and economic flows across Azerbaijan and the wider region. The railway is a critical component of the broader Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, which seeks to connect Europe and Central Asia with a target transit time of 15 days.

Both partners emphasized that diversified, reliable, and resilient routes between Europe and Asia are a shared strategic interest, providing mutual benefits while mitigating risks linked to excessive dependencies.

Through innovative financial instruments, alongside bilateral and regional support programmes, additional priority projects will further strengthen economic ties between the EU and Azerbaijan. These initiatives are expected to support Azerbaijan’s economic diversification, enhance regional connectivity, create new skills and employment opportunities, and promote inclusive and sustainable rural development.