European Union’s Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia, Magdalena Grono referred to the regional connectivity in an interview with APA news agency.
“Connectivity is a central pillar of the EU’s policy towards the broader region – and certainly a core discussion with both Azerbaijan, where we are engaging with authorities especially as regards the Nakhchivan rail segment, and with Armenia. We will be fully ready to reflect this shared commitment to connectivity also in our future outcome documents with Azerbaijan. As I said, EU colleagues in charge of the connectivity agenda also visited Baku recently and agreed on launching a feasibility study for rehabilitation of the rail in Nakhchivan, an essential component that links up directly with the TRIPP. As for the “EU-Armenia Partnership Strategic Agenda” document, it highlights joint efforts to enhance transport, digital and energy links between Armenia, the region and the EU. It emphasises strategic investments under the EU’s “Global Gateway” and support for initiatives such as the “Crossroads of Peace” to improve regional interconnections, boost economic resilience and open new opportunities for trade and mobility.
As part of our strong support to regional connectivity initiatives, we have been in close contact with our US, Armenian and Azerbaijani interlocutors to exchange views on the TRIPP project, as well as ways of coordinating approaches to different connectivity segments”, Gorno said.
