It is still unclear what exactly the European Union wants.
According to EDnews, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, Hikmet Hajiyev, made this statement during a panel discussion titled “Middle Corridor: A New Geopolitical and Economic Lifeline” at the GLOBSEC 2025 forum.
Hajiyev emphasized that Azerbaijan does not need aid, but cooperation and partnership:
“Because we have our own investment capabilities and strong partnerships.
Just look at our Baku–Tbilisi–Kars project implemented through cooperation with Turkey and Georgia.
To be honest, when we started this project, European and American funds withdrew their financial support. But we decided to carry it out on our own and we succeeded.
We also connected our entire major transportation infrastructure with our brothers in Central Asia. Today, China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan are jointly building their own railway system, which will create a 900-kilometer shortcut to reach Central Asia.”
The presidential aide stated that all these processes are coordinated through the Trans-Caspian route:
“But now my question is: Where is the European Union?
Yes, as a partner, you are welcome to join us. But we still do not clearly see what the European Union wants.
TRASECA is an important project, and it has contributed to some extent, but frankly, it’s old wine in an old bottle.
What we need is new wine in a new bottle — a new approach, a new strategy.”
Fatima Shukurova // EDnews
