Hikmet Hajiyev: Azerbaijan's joining the C5+1 format means a return to its roots

Azerbaijan's accession to the "C5+1" format means the country's return to its roots.

As reported by BAKU.WS with reference to Report, Presidential Assistant and Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan Hikmet Hajiyev stated this at the CAMCA 2026 Regional Forum in Baku.

According to him, official Baku welcomes the unanimous decision of the Central Asian countries on Azerbaijan's accession to the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia.

"I always say that figuratively speaking, this is not simply a matter of mathematics - 'five plus one,' meaning Azerbaijan joining the Central Asian club. This is a matter of 'chemistry' - a kind of infusion, and Azerbaijan is returning to its roots," Hajiyev said.

He noted that cooperation encompasses relations, economy, trade, business, and, most importantly, connectivity.

"Azerbaijan, like the Central Asian countries, is landlocked with no access to the world's oceans, which is why we are actively working on creating new transport links. Based on these parameters, I think that together with our Central Asian friends and partners, we are trying to completely transform the transport and communication architecture," the presidential assistant noted.

According to Hajiyev, connectivity for Azerbaijan is not simply about transporting cargo from one point to another, but a matter of geopolitical significance.

"We are at the very center of the Eurasian continent. Azerbaijan and the Central Asian countries are creating new links that start from China and extend to the West, and in the reverse direction. I think that our country is now playing a key role here, based on a number of important factors," he added.