World
"Opening Armenia's borders with Turkey and Azerbaijan will be a game-changer." Von der Leyen
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen spoke at the EU-Central Asia Summit about the geopolitical and economic significance of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor, the Azerbaijani APA news agency reported.
Ursula von der Leyen said the corridor will play a key role in strengthening ties between Europe and the five Central Asian countries.
"In an increasingly fragmented world, the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor will strengthen ties between your countries, the five Central Asian states, and Europe. But infrastructure is not everything," von der Leyen noted.
She also stressed the importance of facilitating border crossings between the region's countries for the corridor's effectiveness. "Border crossings with Central Asia and the South Caucasus are crucial for the route to the Black Sea."
The European Commission President also discussed the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border. She said opening Armenia's borders with Turkey and Azerbaijan after 30 years could radically change the situation. "This would change the game's rules, bringing Europe and Central Asia closer than ever before."
