MP: Azerbaijan-Central Asia relations enter new stage

The 8th Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Azerbaijan and Central Asia, held in Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan, has clearly demonstrated the new stage emerging in Baku's relations with the region.

According to Report, Azerbaijani MP Elnara Akimova made the remarks.

She said President Ilham Aliyev's speech showed that Azerbaijan was building relations with Central Asia not only through political dialogue but also at the level of strategic partnership across a broad range of areas, including the economy, transport, energy, digital connectivity and humanitarian cooperation.

"Azerbaijan's admission to this format as a full member is an indicator of the political weight of these relations. The unanimous support for this decision demonstrated the high level of trust in our country. Turkmenistan's and Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov's initiative in this process should be particularly noted. The rapid development of Azerbaijan-Turkmenistan relations in recent years is also a practical expression of this trust. Five reciprocal visits at the highest level since last year demonstrate the dynamic nature of the ties," she said.

According to the MP, the tangible economic results of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Central Asia are already evident.

She noted that trade turnover with the countries of the region increased by more than 50% last year and that more than 400 companies with Central Asian capital are operating in Azerbaijan, reflecting the deepening of ties.

However, she said the next stage should not be limited to increasing trade. Establishing production facilities, expanding joint investment and jointly entering foreign markets by using the opportunities offered by the investment funds created between Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan could generate even greater economic opportunities.

"One of the main pillars of this partnership is the Caspian Sea and the Middle Corridor. Through investments in ports, railways, highways and airports in recent years, Azerbaijan has become an important transport hub connecting Central Asia with European markets. The growth in cargo transportation along the Middle Corridor shows that it is no longer a route of the future, but an operational and expanding route of today. The creation of fiber-optic lines along the seabed of the Caspian Sea as part of the Digital Silk Way adds a digital dimension to this cooperation," Akimova said.

She noted that a similar picture could be seen in the energy sector.

"The increase in the transportation of Turkmen and Kazakh oil through Azerbaijan strengthens our country's role in bringing the region's energy resources to international markets. At the same time, work on creating a green energy corridor with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan demonstrates that Azerbaijan is an active participant in regional cooperation in both traditional and renewable energy," she said.

Akimova said the participation of Central Asian countries in the reconstruction of Azerbaijan's liberated territories also gave the relationship a special moral dimension.

"Uzbekistan's construction of the Mirzo Ulugbek School in Fuzuli, Kazakhstan's Kurmangazy Children's Creativity Center, Kyrgyzstan's Manas School in Aghdam and Turkmenistan's support for the construction of a mosque in Fuzuli are concrete examples of brotherhood. These projects are not only contributions to the reconstruction process, but also expressions of the historical and cultural ties between our peoples.

"The main factor connecting all these areas is mutual trust. Efficient transport corridors, growing investment, expanding energy projects and long-term economic partnerships require stability and security above all. As President Ilham Aliyev also emphasized, peace and political and economic stability form the foundation of the achievements made," she said.

The MP added that the Joint Statement signed at the Turkmenbashi meeting and the documents regulating the operation of the Consultative Meeting format also showed that the institutional foundations of cooperation were being strengthened.

"This picture demonstrates that Azerbaijan's relations with Central Asia have already entered a new qualitative stage. Transport routes extending across the Caspian, growing trade and investment, energy and digital projects, as well as the brotherly support shown in the reconstruction of Karabakh, are different dimensions of a single strategic course.

"Azerbaijan is an important link in this process. Alongside playing an active role in shaping a transport and energy space connecting Central Asia with Europe, Azerbaijan is also becoming one of the initiators of closer regional cooperation based on shared history and culture," Akimova added.