Azerbaijan proposes to revise co-op format with Central Asia in favor of "5+1+1"

The format of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Central Asian countries should be revised in favor of the "5+1+1" format [Central Asia - Azerbaijan - EU], director and co-founder of the Topchubashev Center Rusif Huseynov said at a panel discussion on the topic "Azerbaijan and the Economic Cooperation Organization: Opportunities and Prospects" in Baku.

Report quotes him as saying that after the fair resolution of the Karabakh conflict, Azerbaijan focused on developing ties with other regions, including Central Asia, the importance of which has increased significantly in recent years.

"In recent years, the role of Central Asia has gradually increased. Especially after Russia's attack on Ukraine, we have seen the zeal of Western countries towards Central Asia. However, we should not forget that Azerbaijan is also a member of this geopolitical region. Therefore, meetings should be held in the '5+1+1' format," Huseynov noted.

He also stressed that in recent years, Azerbaijan has been increasingly moving from bilateral relations to multilateral platforms, recalling the country's accession to the D-8 organization last year.