The United States wants a direct stake in Azerbaijan's pipeline and energy infrastructure, a senior US official said on Thursday, signalling Washington's ambitions to deepen its foothold in a region long dominated by Russia and China.
Speaking at the first Azerbaijan–US Economic Dialogue in Baku, Assistant Secretary of State for Economic, Energy and Business Affairs Caleb Orr said the US sees opportunities stretching well beyond traditional hydrocarbons.
"The United States wants a greater role in the pipeline infrastructure and the other energy infrastructure that Azerbaijan is building," he said.
Orr also flagged Washington's backing for Azerbaijan's growing role as a transit hub, singling out the Middle Corridor, the trade and transport 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 said.
