Tokyo, 4 July, /AJMEDIA/
The third London conference of the Caspian Policy Center on Trans-Caspian connectivity was held in London.
The event, titled “Harnessing the Momentum, Building on the Synergies,” discussed the growing regional relations between Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Türkiye, as well as the economic, commercial, and strategic opportunities emerging against the backdrop of the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor.
In his address, Lord John Alderdice, the United Kingdom’s Trade Envoy to Azerbaijan and Central Asia and a member of the House of Lords, highlighted the United Kingdom’s growing interest in cooperation with the region. He underscored that regional cooperation extends beyond simple trade relations and is rooted in a strong, enduring partnership.
Azerbaijani Ambassador to the UK Elin Suleymanov highlighted Azerbaijan’s role in regional connectivity and peace initiatives. The diplomat emphasized the growing global significance of the Middle Corridor, emphasizing Azerbaijan’s crucial role in regional connectivity amidst ongoing conflicts. Stressing that this cooperation should be prioritized and developed at all times – not only in times of crisis – Elin Suleymanov also touched upon the importance of integration projects in the region that originate from within the region itself, describing the signing of an agreement on the establishment of the “Caspian Green Energy Corridor” project between Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan during COP29 in Baku last year as an important example in this regard.
Highlighting the Uzbek President’s ongoing visit to Azerbaijan, the diplomat portrayed this visit as another indicator of regional integration and cooperation between Turkic-speaking states. He highly appreciated the growing role of the United Kingdom in the region, especially its support for projects related to green transition, energy, and finance, and extended his gratitude to the United Kingdom for its high-level participation in COP29 and support for the process.
Speaking at the event, Efgan Nifti, Chief Executive Officer and board member of the Caspian Policy Center (CPC), touched upon the trade, transit, energy, and human connections, which he stressed are growing swiftly in the Trans-Caspian region.
Other notable speakers emphasized that the Trans-Caspian route is recognized for its potential to function as more than just a trade route, but also as a crucial bridge for regional prosperity.
Experts from organizations, companies, and research centers such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Pasha Holding, PRISM, and Tethys made presentations during the expert panels of the event.
