The European Union’s interest in investing in regional connectivity projects in the South Caucasus, such as the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) is driven by a need for strategic credibility and a tangible foreign policy success, according to a regional expert.
Speaking to AnewZ from Tbilisi, Georgia, Dr. George Mchedlishvili, Associate Professor at European University, said the EU is seeking a “success story” at a time when its institutional, financial and security limitations have been increasingly exposed.
“The European Union needs a success story. There has been a dearth, a deficit in success stories,” Dr. Mchedlishvili said, arguing that the war in Ukraine has laid bare structural weaknesses within the bloc.
Assessments by the European Council on Foreign Relations and policy reviews published by the European Commission since 2022 have acknowledged that the war exposed gaps in the EU’s rapid decision-making, defence readiness and financial mobilisation capacity.
He noted that these pressures have left the EU in a significantly weaker position, prompting Brussels to look for areas where it can demonstrate effective leadership.
According to Dr. Mchedlishvili, the South Caucasus represents one such opportunity.
He pointed to the EU’s long-standing engagement with countries in the region, suggesting that deeper involvement in connectivity initiatives could open a new strategic front, particularly if pursued alongside the United States.
The European Commission and the European External Action Service have repeatedly identified the South Caucasus as a key pillar of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, which prioritises transport, energy and digital corridors linking Europe with the Caspian basin and Central Asia, including the so-called Middle Corridor, as outlined in official EU ministerial statements and investment forums held in 2023–2024.
Shared goals
“This could be one important area where the United States and the European Union could look eye to eye,” he said, adding that recent U.S. strategic reviews show few regions where transatlantic priorities align so closely.
U.S. State Department briefings and Congressional Research Service reports have highlighted regional connectivity in the South Caucasus as an area of growing American interest, particularly in relation to supply-chain resilience, energy diversification and alternatives to Russia- and China-controlled routes.
He stressed that the combined political and economic weight of the EU and the United States gives their involvement added significance. As two major Western security providers and economic powerhouses, their shared investment in the South Caucasus could help shape long-term stability and prosperity.
Peace in South Caucasus
Dr. Mchedlishvili argued that political will from Brussels and Washington would directly support peace efforts in the region, as both sides appear to share a common objective of fostering a peaceful and stable neighbourhood in the South Caucasus.
This view aligns with statements by EU Council President Charles Michel and U.S. officials involved in Armenia–Azerbaijan mediation, who have framed connectivity and economic integration as confidence-building tools linked to long-term regional stability.
“They do want peace in the South Caucasus,” he said, noting that this convergence of interests could facilitate progress on regional cooperation and connectivity.
He also highlighted the evolving political landscape in Armenia, suggesting that the current leadership is seeking to capitalise on shifting geopolitical dynamics. In his view, this creates additional momentum for external actors looking to advance connectivity projects tied to broader peace and development agendas.
Dr. Mchedlishvili concluded that while the EU faces multiple challenges, meaningful engagement in South Caucasus connectivity could serve both as a strategic investment and as a demonstration of renewed European relevance on the international stage.
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Monday urged U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene in the escalating Gulf conflict, warning that...
The Middle East conflict has entered a new phase, with Israel expanding its operations into southern Lebanon and tensions with Iran escalating.&nbs...
Imports of industrial goods into Kyrgyzstan surged in January 2026, driven by a construction boom and the modernisation of production capacity, wit...
Russia has expelled a British diplomat, accusing him of economic espionage in a move that further strains already tense relations between Moscow an...
Georgia’s Minister of Economy, Mariam Kvrivishvili, met UK Ambassador Gareth Edward Ward in Tbilisi on 27–28 March to discuss trade, in...
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Monday urged U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene in the escalating Gulf conflict, warning that only he could prevent it from spreading further.
Russia has expelled a British diplomat, accusing him of economic espionage in a move that further strains already tense relations between Moscow and London. The United Kingdom described the action as intimidation and rejected the allegations outright, Reuters reports.
Japan’s growing interest in Caspian crude reflects a pragmatic response to uncertainty in global energy markets and its continued reliance on the Middle East for more than 90% of its oil imports.
The escalation of conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran since 28 February 2026 has moved beyond a regional security crisis to become a systemic shock to the global economy and our pockets.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said that the U.S is in talks with the new Iranian regime. He said this in a post on his Truth Social account but warned that the U.S. will "Obliterate" Iran's electric and oil facilities if no deal is reached, especially regarding the Strait of Hormuz closure.
Cuba and the United States have been at odds for more than six decades, with tensions rooted in the 1959 revolution that transformed the island’s political and economic system. Renewed focus on relations comes as Donald Trump’s rhetoric intensifies and conditions on the island worsen.
NASA is aiming to launch its Artemis 2 mission on Wednesday (1 April), sending astronauts on a 10-day journey around the Moon, officials confirmed. According to the Space Administration, the launch window is due to open at 23:24 GMT, with additional opportunities to 6 April if delays occur.
The four astronauts selected for NASA’s Artemis II mission have arrived in Florida, entering the final phase of preparations for the first crewed journey towards the Moon in more than five decades
Iranian Military Spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Ibrahim Zulfiqari has warned that American soldiers will become 'food for sharks' if U.S. President Donald Trump launches ground attacks against Iran. The threat comes after the U.S. military said it was deploying thousands of Marines to the region.
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Monday urged U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene in the escalating Gulf conflict, warning that only he could prevent it from spreading further.
The Middle East conflict has entered a new phase, with Israel expanding its operations into southern Lebanon and tensions with Iran escalating. Analysts warn that the collapse of traditional deterrence and rising nuclear risks could trigger a global arms race.
Imports of industrial goods into Kyrgyzstan surged in January 2026, driven by a construction boom and the modernisation of production capacity, with China supplying $51.2 million in electrical equipment to become the country’s largest trading partner.
Georgia’s Minister of Economy, Mariam Kvrivishvili, met UK Ambassador Gareth Edward Ward in Tbilisi on 27–28 March to discuss trade, investment and transport links between Georgia and the United Kingdom.
Iran on Monday described U.S. proposals to end a month-long war in the Middle East as “unrealistic, illogical and excessive” and launched further missile strikes on Israel as oil prices continued to climb following Yemen’s Houthi entry into the conflict.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment