CASPIA held a meeting with officials from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) to discuss the United Kingdom’s foreign policy priorities in the South Caucasus, the development of the Middle Corridor, and prospects for cooperation between analytical institutions.

The meeting was attended by Ruben Rees, Head of the South Caucasus Team in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia Directorate at the FCDO; Jennifer Tobias, Senior Research Analyst for the South Caucasus; and Nazim Suleymanov, a representative of the British Embassy.

One of the central topics of the discussion was the evolving UK approach to regional connectivity across Eurasia. FCDO officials noted that the South Caucasus and Central Asia are increasingly being viewed not as separate regions, but as interconnected components of a broader transport, energy and economic space. This approach is also reflected in the work of the UK Trade Envoy, whose remit covers both regions.

Particular attention was given to the Middle Corridor, whose significance, according to FCDO officials, extends beyond the transportation of goods. The corridor is increasingly developing into a broader system of connectivity between Europe and Asia, encompassing transport infrastructure, energy networks, digital connectivity and other forms of cross-border cooperation. In this context, the strategic role of Georgia was specifically highlighted, with the view that sustainable regional connectivity requires the country to remain integrated into major infrastructure projects.

The prospects for regional cooperation were also discussed in the context of possible progress in the peace process in the South Caucasus. According to the participants, further normalisation of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as the development of relations between Türkiye and Armenia, could create additional opportunities to unlock the region’s transport and economic potential.

A separate part of the meeting focused on prospects for cooperation between CASPIA and the British expert community. FCDO officials noted that the United Kingdom has developed a substantial research base on conflict and security issues in the South Caucasus, while research on regional trade, transport connectivity and interregional economic processes remains a growing area of interest.

In this context, the participants discussed opportunities to establish direct professional links between researchers and analytical institutions. FCDO officials expressed their readiness, within the scope of their capacity, to facilitate such contacts, while also emphasising the independence of British think tanks in setting their research agendas and conducting analytical work.