Connectivity

Azerbaijan and Armenia have signed an agreement allowing the mutual transit of international internet traffic, creating a direct telecommunications link between the two countries for the first time since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The deal, announced on 17 June by AzerTelecom and Telecom Armenia, is intended to improve route diversity and network resilience in the South Caucasus. The development follows a gradual process of normalisation of relations between Baku and Yerevan. Notably, Azerbaijan has repeatedly identified the restoration of transport and communication links as a key component of a future peace settlement. Since the initialling of a peace agreement during a summit in Washington in August 2025, the two sides have taken several important steps, including progress on border delimitation and the easing of certain transit restrictions. The telecommunications agreement is also significant because it was negotiated by private operators rather than government officials. Industry observers note that commercial infrastructure projects can create long-term economic ties and mutual dependencies that are more difficult to reverse than political declarations.