Aliyev called on the Central Asian countries to actively cooperate in the field of defense and security

Azerbaijan and the countries of Central Asia are a single historical, cultural and geopolitical space, the strategic importance of which is increasing, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev  stated at a meeting of the heads of state of Central Asia and Azerbaijan in Astana on Friday. The growing threats and challenges in the world require greater strengthening of cooperation between these countries in the field of defense and security.

In this context, Aliyev highlighted the international operational and tactical command and staff exercises "Birlestik-2024" held in Kazakhstan in July, in which Azerbaijan also is involved. Another indicator of the development of relations in this area is the training of cadets from Central Asian countries in military educational institutions of Azerbaijan, he added.

Referring to economic cooperation, Aliyev expressed interest in close cooperation with Central Asian countries in the field of renewable energy. The Memorandum of Cooperation on the unification of the energy systems of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, signed in May this year, is the first step in our cooperation in the field of green energy," Aliyev said.

One of the important areas of cooperation between the countries of the region is also cooperation in the transport and transit sphere, he continued.

The increase in the capacity of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway from 1 million to 5 million tons, the increase in the capacity of the international commercial port of Alat from 15 million to 25 million tons per year, orders of new vessels for the merchant fleet of Azerbaijan, as well as infrastructure projects implemented in Central Asian countries, increasingly increase the importance of the Median the corridor.

Aliyev also pointed to the active implementation of Azerbaijan's investment projects with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Azerbaijani-Kazakh, Azerbaijani-Kyrgyz and Azerbaijani-Uzbek joint investment funds have already been established.

The Digital Silk Road project will contribute to the development of digital infrastructure and digital security.  In addition, within the framework of the COP29 chairmanship, Azerbaijan is ready to support joint initiatives with the countries of Central Asia to solve problems related to climate change in the region.

In conclusion, Aliyev said that he had already sent official invitation letters to the presidents of the Central Asian countries to participate in COP29.