Von der Leyen to Visit Azerbaijan and Armenia, Bolstering EU Regional Ties
Von der Leyen to visit Azerbaijan – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is set to embark on a dual visit to Azerbaijan and Armenia next week, aiming to strengthen the Union’s strategic ties with the two nations in the South Caucasus region. According to sources in Yerevan and Baku, the trip marks a renewed effort to deepen the EU’s political and economic engagement with both countries, which have historically maintained a complex relationship. The visit to Baku is scheduled for 1 July, where von der Leyen will engage in discussions with President Ilham Aliyev, focusing on Azerbaijan’s growing role in supplying energy to Europe and collaboration on critical regional infrastructure. This marks her first official trip to Baku since 2022, when the EU and Azerbaijan formalized a strategic energy partnership amid Europe’s shift away from Russian energy sources.
EU-Azerbaijan Relations and Energy Security
Azerbaijan’s energy exports have become a cornerstone of EU-Azerbaijan cooperation, especially as the bloc seeks to diversify its energy supply routes. During her visit, von der Leyen will emphasize the importance of the country’s expanding gas deliveries to Europe, which are vital for reducing dependency on Russian energy. The trip also highlights ongoing efforts to enhance infrastructure projects that underpin the EU’s economic stability. The EU has long recognized Azerbaijan’s strategic value, particularly in securing alternative gas and oil supplies. With 16 European nations currently relying on Azerbaijani gas and 10 of them being EU members, the energy partnership remains a priority. Italy, the largest EU importer of Azerbaijani energy, has already shown its commitment through a high-profile visit to Baku in May, underscoring the region’s significance for the bloc’s energy needs.
Following the conclusion of a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia after decades of conflict over Karabakh, the EU sees an opportunity to foster closer ties with both nations. The reconciliation process, which ended a long-standing dispute in the South Caucasus, has opened new avenues for political and economic collaboration. This visit by von der Leyen aligns with the EU’s broader strategy to engage with the region, building on previous initiatives. Earlier in March, European Council President Antonio Costa had traveled to Baku, where he highlighted the need for a new framework to expand cooperation in defense, security, and digital sectors. Costa’s remarks emphasized that the EU and Azerbaijan were now working to broaden their partnership beyond energy, aiming to create lasting economic and strategic links.
Connectivity and the Middle Corridor Initiative
A key aspect of the EU’s engagement with Azerbaijan involves enhancing connectivity across the region. The Middle Corridor, a strategic transport route linking Europe and Asia through the South Caucasus, has emerged as a critical project in light of disruptions caused by the war in Iran. European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, who will accompany von der Leyen during the visits, recently launched the EU’s Connectivity Agenda Platform to support these initiatives. This platform aims to facilitate investments from governments, financial institutions, and private entities into Middle Corridor projects, which have already secured over €80 million in EU funding. The goal is to increase this to more than €2 billion, targeting transport, energy, and digital infrastructure developments.
“This sends a strong signal of our joint vision for the future,” Costa remarked in March, underscoring the EU’s reliance on Azerbaijan for energy security. Kos echoed this sentiment, stating that the Middle Corridor is essential for securing Europe’s trade and energy routes. In a video posted on X, she explained how the route has become vital after traditional pathways were rendered unreliable by the conflict. “Take a look at the plane map before and after the start of the recent war in Iran. Almost all planes started passing through the Caucasus,” Kos said, emphasizing the corridor’s role in bypassing bottlenecks. The initiative not only aims to streamline trade but also to strengthen economic ties with neighboring regions. By improving roads, railways, and ports, the EU hopes to cut shipping times for goods from 45 days to just 15, significantly reducing costs for businesses and making products more affordable for EU citizens.
EU’s Ambitions for Regional Stability
Kos also highlighted the diplomatic implications of the Middle Corridor, noting its potential to support improving relations between South Caucasus nations. “This will help us grow our economy,” she said, adding that the project would also bolster the region’s economic development. The commissioner drew a parallel to post-World War II Europe, where coal and steel industries unified the continent. “That is what coal and steel did for us in Europe after World War II,” Kos remarked, suggesting that the Middle Corridor could serve as a similar catalyst for economic integration. Her comments set the stage for von der Leyen’s upcoming visit, which is expected to further solidify the EU’s commitment to the region’s stability and prosperity.
During her previous meeting with Aliyev in March, Costa stressed the importance of the South Caucasus as a key economic and transit hub. “Amid disruptions to global transit systems caused by the war in Iran, the region’s economic potential is growing,” Aliyev noted, according to the European Council President. This sentiment aligns with the EU’s current focus on developing alternative routes to ensure resilience in trade and energy networks. The Middle Corridor, which traverses Turkey and the South Caucasus, is seen as a strategic lifeline for bypassing geopolitical tensions and creating more reliable supply chains. As the EU seeks to reduce its reliance on traditional routes, the corridor offers a viable alternative, reinforcing the bloc’s strategic interests in the area.
The visit also reflects the EU’s broader geopolitical strategy in the South Caucasus, where it aims to balance relations with both Azerbaijan and Armenia. While Azerbaijan has been a key partner in energy and infrastructure, Armenia’s peace agreement with Azerbaijan has positioned the country as a potential ally in regional cooperation. The EU’s dual engagement underscores its commitment to fostering stability and economic growth across the region. With the Middle Corridor as a central component of this strategy, the bloc is investing in both infrastructure and diplomatic ties, seeking to create a more secure and interconnected Europe. As Kos emphasized, the project is not just about logistics but also about building a resilient network that supports long-term economic development and regional solidarity.
Looking Ahead: A Strategic Partnership
von der Leyen’s visit to Baku is expected to result in concrete agreements that will solidify the EU’s strategic partnership with Azerbaijan. The discussions will likely focus on expanding energy supplies, advancing infrastructure projects, and ensuring the Middle Corridor’s success. Meanwhile, the EU’s engagement with Armenia will explore opportunities for political and economic collaboration, particularly in the wake of the Karabakh peace agreement. These efforts are part of a larger vision to strengthen the EU’s influence in the South Caucasus, where it seeks to reduce dependency on Russian energy and promote regional stability. As the bloc moves forward with these initiatives, the Middle Corridor and energy partnerships will remain at the forefront of its strategic priorities. The visit by von der Leyen and Kos signals a renewed commitment to securing Europe’s energy, trade, and digital links through reliable and diversified routes.
By prioritizing connectivity and energy security, the EU aims to address both immediate and long-term challenges in its energy supply chain. The Middle Corridor’s progress, now four times higher in trade volume than in 2022, demonstrates the region’s growing economic importance. With the EU’s investment plans set to reach over €2 billion, the project is expected to create a more efficient and resilient network, benefiting not only Europe but also the South Caucasus. As Kos concluded, “This is the priority for the European Commission, securing our trade, energy and digital links via routes we can trust.” The upcoming visits by von der Leyen and her team will be crucial in advancing these goals and ensuring the EU’s continued leadership in the region’s development.
