MEP: Azerbaijan - key element of Middle Corridor

The Middle Corridor is capable of promoting long-term peace and stability in the region, and Azerbaijan is a key element of this transport route, Romanian MEP Cristian Terheș said in an interview with Report.

"Azerbaijan occupies an irreplaceable position within the Middle Corridor. To its north is Russia and to its south is Iran. Geographically, there is no realistic substitute for Azerbaijan in this route.

As Europe increasingly seeks alternatives to transport routes passing through Russia, more trade and connectivity will depend on the Middle Corridor. Every country along the route plays a role, but Azerbaijan remains indispensable.

The corridor is not only an economic project; it is also a peace project. The European integration process itself began after World War II when leaders realized that prosperity and economic cooperation could help prevent future conflicts. The same principle can apply in the South Caucasus.

By strengthening trade, connectivity, and shared economic interests, the Middle Corridor can contribute to long-term peace and stability in the region. This is why efforts to advance regional cooperation and conclude a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia are so important," he noted.

"The European Union should recognize the strategic significance of the Middle Corridor and engage constructively with the countries involved. Supporting connectivity projects, strengthening economic cooperation, and encouraging regional partnerships can contribute both to prosperity and to stability.

The EU should also maintain active political engagement with the region. Connectivity and peace are closely linked, and projects that deepen economic interdependence can help sustain long-term stability," he added.

Full interview is available here