Azerbaijan and Russia signal thaw in ties with Astrakhan economic talks

The wars in Iran and Ukraine have sharply increased the strategic importance of the so-called Middle Corridor linking Asia and Europe, as traditional trade routes face disruptions and energy prices surge, officials and analysts say.

Leaders of Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan on Friday pledged to accelerate regional integration, using a summit on Turkmenistan’s Caspian coast to draft plans for joint transport corridors, energy exports and trade links amid shifting geopolitical dynamics across Eurasia.

Presidents of Russia and Iran, Vladimir Putin and Masoud Pezeshkian, on January 17, following negotiations in Moscow, signed a Bilateral Agreement on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The agreement had been in preparation since January 2022 and consists of 47 articles that define the relations between the two countries in all sectors for at least the next 20 years. Among the important economic provisions are cooperation between the two countries in the field of energy as well as the transportation of goods along the international transport corridor (ITC) "North-South."

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to Turkmenistan on September 10, 2024, marked a turning point for both Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan in the rapidly changing landscape of Central Asia. The visit highlighted Kazakhstan's intention to strengthen ties with its southern neighbor, aiming to boost cooperation in key areas such as energy, transport, and trade. Tokayev’s trip became a critical moment for both countries, especially as they seek to expand their regional roles while managing external pressures from larger powers like Russia and China.