Meeting Outcome of Putin and Pezeshkian: Azerbaijan Involved in Strategic Energy and Transport Projects

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.

On August 22, senior officials from Azerbaijan and Russia met in Astrakhan for the 23rd session of their intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation, in what observers described as a cautious step toward normalisation of relations after months of tension.

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.

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.