Upcoming US-Caucasus C3+1 Meeting to Discuss Participation of Azerbaijan and Armenia

The President of the United States, Donald Trump, is set to meet with leaders from five Central Asian countries at the White House as part of the inaugural official summit in the C5+1 format. This format was established in 2015 with the aim of enhancing cooperation between the US and Central Asian states. The summit is seen as a step towards reassessing Washington's role and coordinating policies in the region.

Since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war, such meetings in Washington are regarded as a sign of the US's growing interest and the intensification of competition in the region. In recent years, alongside Russia’s influence in Central Asia, China's economic presence has grown, while the European Union is also ramping up its initiatives by organizing the first EU-Central Asia summit in Samarkand.

Simultaneously, discussions are underway regarding Azerbaijan's involvement in the current C5+1 format, potentially expanding it to C6+1. Baku, seen as a crucial link between Central Asia and Europe, is considered an important partner in regional connectivity projects.

The American magazine The Diplomat has also proposed a new format, C3+1, involving the US, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia. According to the authors, this initiative could help strengthen the US presence in the South Caucasus, expand economic and infrastructure projects, and deepen regional cooperation.