Azerbaijan, U.S. Discuss Strategic Partnership, Energy Security and Regional Connectivity
Baku, The Gulf Observer: Jeyhun Bayramov, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, held talks on July 7 with Steve Daines, a member of the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, to discuss the current state and future prospects of the Azerbaijan–United States strategic partnership.
The meeting focused on the political and economic cooperation agenda, energy security, regional connectivity projects, and regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Both sides underscored the importance of maintaining high-level contacts and strengthening political dialogue to further expand mutually beneficial cooperation between Azerbaijan and the United States. They also exchanged views on Azerbaijan’s growing role as a reliable partner in energy security, transport, and logistics, while discussing initiatives aimed at advancing the Middle Corridor and East-West transport routes.
During discussions on regional connectivity and economic cooperation, Bayramov highlighted the steady expansion of Azerbaijan’s cooperation with Central Asian countries and pointed to the opportunities created under the C6 cooperation format.
The foreign minister emphasized that Azerbaijan has emerged as one of Eurasia’s key transport and trade hubs through the strengthening of East-West connectivity across the Caspian Sea, the continued development of the Middle Corridor, and the expansion of logistics and industrial infrastructure surrounding the Baku International Sea Trade Port.
The meeting also included an exchange of views on the post-conflict situation in the South Caucasus, the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and ongoing peace efforts in the region.
Bayramov briefed Senator Daines on the large-scale restoration and reconstruction projects underway in Azerbaijan’s liberated territories and highlighted the opportunities that the reopening of regional transport and communication links could create for broader economic integration and regional cooperation.
