Strategic Engagement of Azerbaijan with Central Asia: Aliyev's Visit to Astana

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev is participating in the VI Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia, held on August 9 in Astana. This visit underscores Azerbaijan's growing diplomatic activity and strategic importance in Central Asia. Bauyrzhan Auken, a senior expert in the Asian Studies Department of the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan (KISI), elaborated on Azerbaijan's role in an interview with the analytical observer of the Kazinform agency.

Auken highlighted the deeply rooted, centuries-old relations between the peoples of Central Asia and Azerbaijan, noting that shared cultural heritage provides a solid foundation for strengthening and expanding interstate ties. Since gaining independence, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan have extensively cooperated at both bilateral and multilateral levels, supporting each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Frequent high-level exchanges between the two countries illustrate a new direction for further cooperation.

Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan play key roles in the geopolitical interplay between Central Asia and the South Caucasus. This significance is reinforced by the growing economies, demographics, and transport capacities of both countries. Auken noted that one of the most important factors of cooperation is the growth of mutual trade and investment, with trade turnover reaching a record $529.4 million last year.

Auken also emphasized the importance of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route for both countries. The transport and logistics sector occupies a central place in bilateral relations, with ongoing joint efforts to increase the capacity of this route. Azerbaijan serves as a reliable transit country for Central Asian nations along the East-West corridor.

A significant breakthrough initiative is the "Digital Silk Road," which aims to create a digital telecommunications corridor between Asia and Europe. This project includes plans to lay a fiber-optic communication line along the bottom of the Caspian Sea, which will make a significant contribution to the digitalization and development of communication services in the region.

Auken noted that Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are key partners in these projects, which connect Central Asia and the Caucasus through the Caspian Sea.

He also highlighted Kazakhstan's support for COP29, which will be held in Azerbaijan. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed his support for the event, congratulating President Aliyev on the occasion and confirming Kazakhstan's broad participation. This underscores the friendship between our countries, their commitment to global environmental initiatives, and their readiness to address pressing environmental issues.