We believe that the Middle Corridor is a crucial step for the region as a whole. Central Asian states currently export to the international market through Russia or China, but now they have the opportunity to do so via the Caspian Sea, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O'Brien said in a briefing he held for the journalists, APA reports.
According to him, Azerbaijan as a state can accept the goods and services passing through the Caspian Sea, enabling them to reach the global market: "This road can pass through Georgia or there is a great opportunity for it to enter the international market through Armenia and Türkiye. This opportunity will not only reduce transportation costs but also provide secure alternatives against geopolitical interventions. Peoples from Tajikistan to Türkiye will benefit from the opening of this corridor. We believe that this should be done with the consent of all interested parties, and we know that it starts with an agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan."
O'Brien noted that the Middle Corridor may interest the World Bank, European Reconstruction and Development Bank, European Investment Bank, as well as our financial corporations and others.
"From a political point of view, my opinion is that the project will create opportunities for all peoples in the region and indeed be the most successful peace initiative. Therefore, we see it progressing positively, but we also want to see additional work done. We have stated our intention to learn about the project's opportunities. This is not a political project of US influence; rather, it is a project for the economic development and political opportunities of the region's peoples," he said.
