The United States is seeking a greater role in Azerbaijan’s expanding energy and transport infrastructure, signaling a new phase in economic relations between Azerbaijan and the United States as Washington increases its focus on the South Caucasus and the broader Eurasian transit space.

Speaking at the first Azerbaijan–US Economic Dialogue in Baku, Assistant Secretary of State for Economic, Energy and Business Affairs Caleb Orr stated that Washington wants a more direct role in Azerbaijan’s pipeline and energy infrastructure projects.

“The United States wants a greater role in the pipeline infrastructure and the other energy infrastructure that Azerbaijan is building,” Orr said.

He also emphasized Washington’s support for Azerbaijan’s growing role within the Middle Corridor, the strategic trade route connecting Asia and Europe through the Caspian region.

“We expect to help Azerbaijan grow its role as the central node of the Middle Corridor for energy transit, going to Europe and to the rest of the world,” he added.

The US already maintains a presence in Azerbaijan’s energy sector through companies such as ExxonMobil and Chevron. Orr noted that ExxonMobil signed a memorandum of understanding for new exploration activities during last year’s Baku Energy Week, while Chevron reached a new study agreement during this year’s event.

“We think that Azerbaijan is a critical producer of energy for the world right now,” Orr stated. “And the United States really benefits from this relationship, and it's one that we expect to grow significantly over the next few years.”

Commenting to AzerNEWS on the growing momentum in bilateral relations, analyst Peter Tase argued that the first Azerbaijan–US Economic Dialogue demonstrates how cooperation between Baku and Washington is moving into a more practical and strategically focused stage.

“The leadership role of President Ilham Aliyev is the fulcrum of the Azerbaijan - United States strategic economic alliance at a time when Washington is very much interested to expand its global role in energy economics and securing greater supply of rare earth minerals; in this context the Republic of Azerbaijan has earned with hard........

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