The European Union is stepping up support for Armenia’s regional connectivity ambitions, assisting to develop key road corridors stretching from the Azerbaijani border to the Turkish frontier as part of efforts to strengthen trade and transport links across the South Caucasus.

A memorandum of understanding was signed in Brussels by the European Commission, the European Investment Bank (EIB), and Armenia’s Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure during a high-level Connectivity Agenda Platform event, The Caspian Post reports via Interfax.

The agreement officially launches advisory support under the Facility for Eastern Partnership Investment in Connectivity (EPIC) initiative, aimed at advancing major transport infrastructure projects in Armenia.

Under the program, the EU will support preparations for two strategic road corridors - the 212-kilometer Akhurik-Kayan route and the 258-kilometer Margara-Kayan route. Both highways are designed to connect border crossing points with Armenia’s national road network, creating new transport links between the country's borders with Azerbaijan and Türkiye.

In the first phase, the EIB will provide technical and advisory assistance to determine the scope of required studies and develop practical solutions for the projects.

Armenian officials say the routes are part of the government's “Crossroads of Peace” initiative, which seeks to transform Armenia into a reliable transit and logistics hub while promoting regional connectivity and economic cooperation.

The memorandum was signed during the visit of Armenian Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Davit Khudatyan to Brussels, where he held talks with EU officials on transport and energy projects.

Earlier this month, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed the EU’s readiness to support Armenia’s infrastructure and border-crossing facilities as regional transport links gradually reopen.

Khudatyan also met with Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu to discuss the development of regional transport connections and the potential reopening of road and railway links.