(MENAFN- Trend News Agency)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. The strategy of
Azerbaijan is to become the hotspot of cross-regional communication
along the East West direction, and for this a large infrastructure
plan is being devised by the government, Daniel Pommier Vincelli, a
researcher from Italia's Sapienza University, told Trend .
'Azerbaijan's role in the region is becoming paramount for
different reasons. Azerbaijan is a stable country, with a growing
state of law and an environment perceptive on foreign investments.
After the crisis of mid-2010s Azerbaijani economy recovered
steadily and now energy prices rise benefit the development in
South Caucasus. Azerbaijan is not only a gas supplier but becoming
a larger buyer of goods and services from western and Turkish
firms,' he said.
According to the expert, both East and West need Azerbaijan as a
kind of 'middleman'.
'It is now time for a regional power, such as Azerbaijan, to
talk to both sides and able to ease the divide between the West and
the rest. This is a geopolitical premise. Practically speaking,
Azerbaijan is devising active policies in order to increase
connectivity through the country in order to become a commercial
hub,' Vincelli explained.
Regarding Karabakh's role in the regional transportation system,
the researcher noted that Azerbaijan, not only Karabakh, is in deep
change – economically and socially.
'I visited liberated Karabakh in April 2022 and I could see the
great effort to establish an infrastructure plan in a region
virtually isolated by outer word for almost 30 years. I could
mention the Fuzuli International Airport, the new road to Shusha
and the restoration work ongoing, which is becoming a huge tourist
attraction,' Vincelli said.
Speaking further, the expert noted that the significance of the
Zangazur Corridor project is crucial.
'The physical isolation is the dire consequence of war and
political tensions. The tripartite agreement [between Azerbaijan,
Russia and Armenia] of November 2020 contains the provision of
Zangazur Corridor. This corridor is a way to connect the whole
region to itself, and to the rest of the world,' he said.
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