BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 19. Transport corridors discussed at the forum have the potential to significantly strengthen both regional economic activity and cooperation between Azerbaijan and the U.S., Eugene Chausovsky, Senior Director for Analytical Development and Training at the New Lines Institute, told Trend.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 1st Azerbaijan-US Think Tank Forum, he noted that the benefits for Azerbaijan are particularly clear.
Chausovsky emphasized that Azerbaijan stands to reap substantial economic rewards from enhancing regional connectivity, particularly through unlocking previously constrained economic activities such as transportation and energy supplies. He noted that this development is a natural extension of the diplomatic momentum in the region, with tangible economic outcomes now on the horizon.
He further pointed out that the United States, too, has much to gain from fostering improved regional integration. “For the U.S., increased connectivity could serve to strengthen its position as a peacemaker while simultaneously enhancing ties between this region, Europe, and the United States,” Chausovsky explained. “This would facilitate greater access to vital resources such as critical minerals and energy supplies, showcasing America’s ability to negotiate and implement deals that yield mutual economic benefits for all involved parties.”
Addressing questions on which sectors of Azerbaijan's economy hold the most promise for U.S. investment, Chausovsky highlighted several key areas. “Energy and minerals are crucial, as are agriculture and technology,” he stated. “Investing in these sectors not only offers significant advantages for the region but also strengthens competition with global players like China.”
He emphasized that this should be viewed as a part of a bigger regional picture where there are more connections between these economic hubs - to connect to Central Asia as well, which the US has expressed a lot of interest in.
In response to the question of which specific projects he considers most valuable, Chausovsky emphasized the importance of implementation rather than the selection of a single specific initiative.
“There are a lot of projects, and I think the most important thing is perhaps not the projects themselves, because there are a lot of very viable ones, but to actually get them from the idea stages or the early MoU stages to actual implementation. Once you start to build off that momentum, then all of these projects - whether it’s the Trans-Caspian route, whether it’s the Middle Corridor - will benefit one another if they can come to fruition,” he concluded.