Armenia and Azerbaijan agree landmark internet deal as peace process continues
Armenia's and Azerbaijan's largest telecom companies have agreed to a joint infrastructure project that will carry direct internet traffic between the two countries. The deal is seen as the first commercial cooperation strengthening regional connectivity after decades of conflict.
Armenia's Team Telekom and Azerbaijan's Azerconnect said in a memorandum signed in Tbilisi on Tuesday they would jointly operate a 460-kilometre fibre-optic cable linking the two countries. The route will provide the shortest internet connection on the Yerevan-Baku corridor.
The deal is the first concrete private-sector step following the framework peace agreement signed in March by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and President Ilham Aliyev. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development approved €75 million in financing for the project. EU Commissioner Marta Kos said in a statement, « this reconciliation is a concrete step that will unlock the region's commercial potential. »
The link will enter service in the second quarter of 2027; internet latency along the Southern Corridor from Central Europe to Central Asia is expected to drop by up to 30%. Baku is also pursuing talks with Ankara on an additional data route via Turkey. The OSCE Minsk Group co-chair will visit both capitals next month.
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