Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev used a visit to Nakhchivan to outline plans for the autonomous republic's long-term development, presenting the region as a future transport, logistics and economic hub linked to broader regional connectivity initiatives, including the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP).

During an interview with Azerbaijan Television (AzTV), Aliyev said Nakhchivan would play a central role in Azerbaijan's development strategy alongside Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur. He identified transport infrastructure, industrial growth, tourism, energy security and regional integration as key priorities for the exclave.

One of the main announcements during the visit was the launch of the Nakhchivan Industrial Park, which is expected to become Azerbaijan's second-largest industrial zone after Sumgayit. Authorities also presented the Nakhchivan City Development Master Plan through 2044, while construction projects including a new hotel complex, social housing facilities and transport infrastructure were showcased.

Aliyev devoted significant attention to TRIPP, describing it as the mechanism that could establish a direct transport link between mainland Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan through Armenian territory. He said highway and railway construction on the Azerbaijani side is progressing and argued that the project could significantly expand regional transit capacity while strengthening Nakhchivan's role as a transport corridor connecting the South Caucasus with neighboring markets.

The Azerbaijani president also added that plans had been prepared for electricity transmission infrastructure linking mainland Azerbaijan with Nakhchivan through Armenia, alongside digital connectivity projects and other cross-border infrastructure. However, transport and logistics development remained the central focus of his talk.

Aliyev said Nakhchivan's economic potential extends beyond transit, arguing that new infrastructure projects, combined with the region's geographic position, could transform Nakhchivan into one of the South Caucasus' key economic and transportation centers.

Commenting on Aliyev's remarks, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stressed the importance of regional connectivity projects involving Azerbaijan, Georgia and Türkiye. He noted that discussions on electricity transit and the Black Sea submarine cable project were continuing and emphasized that major connectivity initiatives between the South Caucasus and Europe cannot be developed without Georgia's participation. Kobakhidze also stated Tbilisi would continue working to strengthen strategic cooperation with both Azerbaijan and Türkiye, particularly in transport, energy and digital connectivity, describing relations with the two countries as positive and developing.

Aliyev's remarks unfold as regional connectivity projects are moving to the forefront of South Caucasus diplomacy following the Armenian-Azerbaijani normalization process and the launch of TRIPP. Azerbaijan views the development of transport and trade links through Nakhchivan as a key component of its long-term strategy to strengthen connections with Türkiye and international markets. The initiative has also become part of a broader regional discussion involving Armenia, Georgia, the United States and the European Union over new transit routes, infrastructure investment and the future economic integration of the South Caucasus.