Azerbaijan and Central Asia: A Bridge Between East and West

On November 16, the 7th Consultative Meeting of the Heads of Central Asian States was held in Tashkent. This year, the event gained special significance: Azerbaijan was officially accepted into the format as a full participant, writes the newspaper "Caspian".

Speaking at the event, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev emphasized the importance of the new status: "Relations between Azerbaijan and the Central Asian states have a special character. We are united by centuries of shared history, spiritual and cultural heritage, brotherhood, friendship, and solidarity. We have not only been able to preserve these ties but have also given them a new dynamic, which has the character of a strategic partnership."

President Ilham Aliyev noted that today Azerbaijan and Central Asia are a connecting link, a bridge between East and West, North and South, and participation in the format opens opportunities for strengthening the transport, logistics, and energy connectivity of the region: "Over the past three years, cargo transportation along the Middle Corridor through Azerbaijan has increased by 90%, and delivery time has significantly decreased."

Ilham Aliyev emphasized the strategic importance of infrastructure projects: "The Alat International Port, whose throughput capacity will reach 25 million tons per year in the coming years, the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, 9 international airports, the region's largest cargo airline, and other factors have transformed Azerbaijan into one of the international transport hubs."

In addition, he outlined the prospects for digital integration and energy cooperation, including the "Digital Silk Road" project and the underwater electric cable across the Caspian Sea.

Reliable Partner

Azerbaijan's accession was supported by all heads of Central Asian states, noting new opportunities in transit, logistics, energy, and international cooperation. After the leaders' speeches, documents were signed, including the decision on Azerbaijan's full participation in the format.

Azerbaijan's admission to the Central Asian consultative format will form a new regional architecture based on strengthening transport connectivity and East-West corridors, expanding energy and digital interaction, mutual political support, and the undoubted growth of the region's international weight. Azerbaijan will gain an additional platform for implementing its economic and transport strategies, while the Central Asian countries will gain a reliable, strong partner that enhances their access to international markets.