New York: US President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), saying the Middle East needs energy routes that do not depend on Iranian checkpoints.
“…Iran’s terrorist attacks on commercial shipping in neighbouring countries have shown the need to shift Middle East energy infrastructure away from the Iranian checkpoints. Trump’s backing to the proposal came during a period of disruption around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s major oil shipping routes. Iran has made the reopening of the waterway part of its demands in talks with the United States. The development gives Trump’s backing for the IMEC an energy angle along with its original trade and connectivity goals.
He made the statements during a meeting with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Arab leaders on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Tuesday (September 22).
Referring to attacks on commercial shipping in the region, he said they showed the need for new routes to move energy out of the Middle East. That’s why my administration strongly supports the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and other places in the form of getting oil out, whether it’s pipelines or anything else,” Trump said. The US president said the region was close to overcoming problems that had affected it for decades. “Together, we’re on the verge of overcoming challenges that have plagued this region for decades…” he said. “It’s an honor to be here with some of America’s greatest and closest friends, allies, and partners to continue our effort toward a safer and more prosperous Middle East,” he said. An analysis at the Middle East Institute said the corridor is designed to improve trade, energy and digital links between the three regions.
