EU Increases Engagement in South Caucasus Region

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen began her three-day tour of the South Caucasus in Baku on Monday, underscoring the European Union’s deepening focus on regional stability, energy cooperation, and infrastructure development. The visit, which follows a series of EU initiatives to strengthen ties with the region, marks the first leg of a broader diplomatic effort to address geopolitical tensions and foster economic integration. During her stop in Azerbaijan, von der Leyen met with President Ilham Aliyev to discuss energy security, transit routes, and joint projects aimed at enhancing connectivity between Europe and Asia. The EU has emphasized the importance of Azerbaijan as a key partner in diversifying energy supplies and stabilizing the volatile South Caucasus region.

The talks in Baku centered on advancing EU-funded infrastructure projects, including the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), which aims to transport Caspian gas to European markets, and the development of digital and transport networks to support regional trade. Von der Leyen also reiterated the EU’s commitment to resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, urging all parties to prioritize dialogue and humanitarian cooperation. Her visit comes amid heightened EU efforts to balance relations with Azerbaijan and Armenia, both of which face domestic and international challenges. The European Commission has pledged increased technical and financial support to address energy disparities and promote sustainable development in the region.

Von der Leyen’s itinerary includes subsequent stops in Armenia and Georgia, where she will further discuss EU funding programs, energy partnerships, and strategies to counter Russian influence. The South Caucasus tour reflects the EU’s broader ambition to position itself as a stabilizing force in a region critical to global energy and trade routes. By reinforcing economic and political engagement, the bloc seeks to bolster long-term security, reduce dependency on single energy sources, and deepen its strategic footprint in a strategically vital but often contested region.