Kazakh political scientist: Middle Corridor gave new impetus to Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan relations

The launch of the Trans-Caspian transport route - the Middle Corridor - was a key event that gave impetus to the development of relations between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, political scientist, director of the Kazakhstan Institute of Applied Ethnopolitical Research Talgat Kaliyev told Report.

According to the political scientist, from the first days of independence of the two countries, relations have been developing dynamically and progressively.

The expert noted that the ties between Baku and Astana can be called exemplary in terms of the high level of trust between peoples and the mutual political will of the presidents of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan to develop them.

Kaliyev said that the development of the Middle Corridor will contribute to both an even greater rapprochement of the Turkic countries and, in general, will increase the subjectivity of each member country of the Organization of Turkic States due to the fact that the route will allow connecting the largest economies of China and the EU.

Regarding the increasing influence of China in Central Asia, Kaliyev said that, despite existing fears, it is of positive nature.

“China’s influence in our region is traditionally high. But this influence is not toxic, but can have a beneficial effect on the economies of the Central Asian countries. We are used to living with this, and today it is important for us to take advantage of the opportunities that our proximity to the second economy in the world opens up,” he noted.

However, despite a number of changes between Kazakhstan and China on visa policy, one should not expect rapid changes in economic relations: “The right of visa-free entry for the Chinese existed before, now the opportunity has opened up for short-term trips of Kazakhstanis to China. In general, this will not cause major changes in the short term, but in the medium term it should result in an increase in the intensity of business contacts, growth in trade turnover and mutual economic benefits.”