A delegation led by Adrien Kiraly, Director for Neighborhood East and Türkiye at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations, has arrived in Azerbaijan. The delegation visited Nakhchivan on September 29.
“Elchi” reports, citing APA, that Jeyhun Jalilov, the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, received the delegation.
During the meeting, it was emphasized that the strategic partnership, friendship, and mutual trust between Azerbaijan and the European Commission, based on the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, are successfully developing. The special importance of long-term and mutually beneficial cooperation between the European Union member states and Azerbaijan was noted.
During the conversation, satisfaction was expressed regarding the agreements reached within the framework of the peace agenda between Azerbaijan and Armenia. It was stated that ensuring sustainable peace and stability in the region could make a significant contribution to the creation of new transport and communication opportunities, the expansion of economic ties, and the deepening of mutually beneficial cooperation.
Jeyhun Jalilov pointed out that Nakhchivan is an important strategic region located at the intersection of the East-West and North-South transport corridors. He spoke about the importance of the Zangezur corridor and the TRIPP project planned to be implemented within its framework in terms of expanding regional transport links. It was noted that the realization of the project would allow for the provision of land transport connections between Nakhchivan and other territories of Azerbaijan. The railway line passing through here is intended to become an important transport link connecting Nakhchivan with Türkiye. It was stated that the signing of a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia would create new opportunities for these transport routes to become operational and further increase their regional significance.
At the meeting, Nakhchivan’s energy potential and projects implemented in the field of renewable energy were also highlighted. Information was provided on the work being done towards the creation of the Tivi and Ordubad hydroelectric power plants in the Ordubad district. The possibilities of linking Nakhchivan’s energy potential with the Jabrayil electrical hub in the future, exporting the produced energy to Türkiye, and accessing wider energy markets were emphasized.
Elisabetta Falcetti, Managing Director for Türkiye and Central Asia at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, who is part of the delegation, touched upon the importance of the projects planned for implementation. She highlighted the opportunities provided by the bank for financing projects, including the role of concessional loans.
Adrien Kiraly emphasized the importance of the visit and noted the significance of the information presented regarding the development of Nakhchivan’s transport, energy, and economic potential. The economic aspects of the projects planned to be implemented by the European Commission in the coming years and the prospects for the development of cooperation were discussed.
