We believe that this (Middle Corridor project - ed.) is a very important step for the region as a whole. In the current situation, the Central Asian states have to export through Russia or China, and a part of it is realized through the Caspian Sea.

Axar.az reports that James O'Brien, the US Secretary of State's assistant for European and Eurasian affairs, said these words in his statement to journalists on June 28.

He said:

"We see great opportunities for exporting Azerbaijan's goods and services through the Caspian Sea to global markets through the territory of Georgia. But we also believe that there are great opportunities to go through Armenia to Turkiye, the Black Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, and mainly the Mediterranean Sea. This opportunity will help to reduce the cost of transportation. This will provide safe alternative routes free from geopolitical interference. All this is a great reason to think that 10 million people from Tajikistan to Turkiye will benefit from the opening of the corridor. We believe that this should be done with the consent of all interested parties, and we know that it starts with an understanding between Armenia and Azerbaijan."