BAKU: Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev undertook a pivotal visit to Tajikistan, where he participated as the guest of honor in the 5th Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia. This visit has sparked significant discussions regarding the importance of President Aliyev’s participation and the emerging dynamics in Azerbaijan’s relations with Central Asian countries.
A notable aspect of President Aliyev’s visit was his distinction as the first head of state from outside the Central Asian region to receive an invitation to this regional summit. This unprecedented invitation underscores the high level of respect and trust that Central Asian countries hold for President Aliyev. It also highlights the recognition of Azerbaijan as a reliable partner in global politics, known for its rational and analyzable foreign policy, offering a sense of predictability to its counterparts.
Azerbaijan’s growing influence in recent years has been an essential element in strengthening its relationships within the Central Asian region. While Azerbaijan has increasingly become a crucial partner for Western countries due to its contributions to energy security and economic growth in Europe, its role in the context of Central Asia has been gaining traction. Recent disruptions in global logistics, particularly between Europe and China, have heightened the demand for alternative transport routes. The Middle Corridor, bridging Europe and China, holds great promise in this regard, with Azerbaijan and Central Asian countries playing pivotal roles due to their strategic geographical locations.
President Aliyev, during his speech at the summit, emphasized Azerbaijan’s commitment to facilitating Central Asian countries’ access to its transportation and logistics infrastructure, stating, “Our brothers in Central Asia know that Azerbaijan’s entire transportation and logistics infrastructure is available to them.”
Key Areas of Development in Azerbaijan
Furthermore, President Aliyev highlighted key areas of development in Azerbaijan’s transport potential, including the modernization of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway and the expansion of the shipyard’s capabilities. This dual focus on railways and sea transport is part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at enhancing traffic along the Middle Corridor, which stands to benefit Azerbaijan’s economy and promote economic growth in participating countries along the route, ultimately boosting trade performance among nations.
Beyond transport cooperation, Azerbaijan and the Central Asian countries hold strategic importance for each other in various other areas, including trade, investment, agriculture, and industrial cooperation. President Aliyev emphasized the significant increase in trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Central Asian nations, citing a threefold increase in the past year and an additional 50% growth in the first seven months of the current year. Joint investment funds have been established, with agreements exceeding $1 billion for the next three years.
The comprehensive nature of Azerbaijan’s relations with Central Asian countries, encompassing trade, investment, transport, agriculture, and more, highlights the mutually beneficial partnership between these nations.
