As an institutional partner of GLOBSEC, Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center) continues fruitful cooperation with the organization.
On June 14, 2025, the AIR Center in cooperation with GLOBSEC organized a panel titled “The Middle Corridor: A New Geopolitical and Economic Lifeline?”
Moderated by TV Presenter Chris Burns, the panel featured Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, Eleonora Tafuro Ambrosetti, the senior research fellow of the Russia, Caucasus and Central Asia Center at the Italian Institute for International Political Studies and Hüseyin Bağcı, a professor at the Middle East Technical University.
Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, Hikmet Hajiyev delivered the keynote address.
In his speech he outlined Azerbaijan’s vision of the Middle Corridor, emphasizing its geopolitical importance and opportunities for broader regional integration.
Hikmet Hajiyev briefed the audience about how Azerbaijan transformed its landlockedness into land-linkedness by developing land, air, maritime and digital infrastructure, that also benefit the entire Eurasian continent.
In response to the questions with regard to Armenia’s Crossroads for Peace Initiative, he described it as a “too little, too late” approach.
“When Azerbaijan’s territories were under occupation, we always talked about connectivity as part of the conflict resolution. Now the conflict is resolved. By the way, one of the important components of the East-West corridor which I should mention is security and stability. This is yet another credit my country should take. We have established full security and stability in the region. Armenia can be part of regional mainstream discussions and mainstream transport linkages. It is not in our interest to see any marginalization or isolation in the region. But in the meantime, we also have certain expectations from the Armenian side. Armenia has kept Nakhchivan under the blockade for 30 years. Now we expect Armenia to make the first important step through the Zangazur Corridor. Regarding the connectivity through Armenia, I think Armenia should prove its commercial viability. Azerbaijan has already built linkages. Now Armenia should prove how economically viable the passage through the territories of Armenia will be. The good thing is that, through the bilateral channels, we are working with Armenia on many different chapters: peace treaty, border delimitation and some other issues. On the peace treaty, the text has been agreed. We still have pending issues. But through bilateral channels we are working on that”.
Assistant to the President Hikmet Hajiyev also referred to Azerbaijan’s 3+3 regional cooperation initiative, reiterating the country's commitment to a lasting peace:
“The peace treaty has been drafted in Baku. The fundamental principles of the peace treaty have been elaborated in Baku. Azerbaijan did a lot to ensure peace and stability. Now we are working on a peace agenda. Importantly, there is a new status quo in the South Caucasus region, which is based on legitimacy and international law. The previous status quo was based on the fact of occupation.”
Other panelists also shared their insights on the Middle Corridors's evolving geopolitical and geoeconomic role.
In addition, a side session themed “Middle Powers Rising: Can Europe Keep Up?” was co-organized with GLOBSEC on June 13.
AIR Center’s Chairman of the Board, Dr. Farid Shafiyev drew attention to the profound geopolitical and geoeconomic shifts happening in the global order and its implications.
To recap, GLOBSEC 2025 is an annual forum that brings together leaders in the field of European foreign and security policy, heads of state, entrepreneurs, as well as representatives of international organizations, think tanks, and academic circles.
