A senior U.S. administration official has described Azerbaijan’s role in the functioning of the Trans-Caspian Corridor as “crucial.”
Speaking to the U.S. bureau of Report, the official said one of Washington’s priorities is to strengthen economic and trade ties with Central Asian countries, help integrate them into global markets, and bolster regional security.
“Relations with Azerbaijan are extremely important for the United States,” the official said. “We are working to advance the Trans-Caspian Corridor through the ‘C5+1’ diplomatic platform [Central Asia + U.S.]. Central Asian countries are geographically distant from global markets and remain dependent on Russia. They need new routes to access world trade. The situation is further complicated by their proximity to states such as Iraq and Afghanistan, where cooperation is difficult.”
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The official noted that Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan – along with other regional players – have shown strong interest in developing the corridor, and in this effort, Azerbaijan’s position is pivotal.
According to him, a new U.S. strategy has been developed for cooperation with Central Asia and the South Caucasus, and the Caspian Policy Center has held several meetings on the topic. Azerbaijan participated in these discussions alongside all Central Asian states.
“Just a few days ago, at an event hosted by the Caspian Policy Center, senior representatives from the U.S., Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and all Central Asian countries gathered to discuss the Trans-Caspian Corridor,” the official added.
He emphasized that the U.S. government regularly holds meetings to review the corridor’s implementation.
“U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has made major efforts in this area. His goal is to make America safer and more prosperous by helping our Central Asian friends access world markets and trade with the U.S. and others. Many of the most promising initiatives and agreements are developing through the Trans-Caspian Corridor – including air routes,” he said.
The official added that during recent regional crises, such as the Israel–Iran conflict, when multiple airspaces were closed, much of the global air traffic had to be rerouted through Trans-Caspian Corridor countries – underscoring its growing importance for world trade and transport.
“This corridor is vital for the global economy, and the United States attaches great importance to ensuring its continued development,” the official concluded.
