Aliyev Highlights Expanding Azerbaijan-Central Asia Cooperation, Calls for Joint Investments and Connectivity

Awaza, The Gulf Observer: President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has highlighted the growing cooperation between Azerbaijan and Central Asian countries, emphasizing the need to expand joint investments, strengthen transport connectivity, enhance energy cooperation and promote industrial partnerships.

Addressing the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia in Awaza, Turkmenistan, President Aliyev thanked President Serdar Berdimuhamedov for the invitation and hospitality, reaffirming Azerbaijan’s commitment to strengthening ties with brotherly Turkmenistan and other countries in the region.

Aliyev recalled that Azerbaijan became a full-fledged participant in the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia in November 2025, describing the decision as a historic milestone. He expressed gratitude to regional leaders for their unanimous support and particularly acknowledged the role of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Chairman of Turkmenistan’s Halk Maslahaty, who proposed the initiative in Awaza in August 2025.

The Azerbaijani president noted that bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan had developed dynamically, with five high-level visits taking place since 2025. He said the exchanges demonstrated the intensity of political dialogue and the shared commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.

Highlighting humanitarian cooperation, Aliyev praised Turkmenistan’s initiative to construct a mosque in Fuzuli, recalling that the two sides had jointly attended its foundation-laying ceremony in 2025. He described the project as a symbol of the friendship and spiritual affinity between the two peoples.

The president also expressed appreciation for assistance provided by Central Asian countries in rebuilding Azerbaijan’s liberated territories. He cited Uzbekistan’s construction of a school named after Mirzo Ulugbek in Fuzuli, Kazakhstan’s establishment of the Kurmangazy Children’s Creativity Center, and Kyrgyzstan’s construction of a school named after Manas in Aghdam.

Trade and Investment Cooperation

Aliyev said Azerbaijan’s cooperation with Central Asian countries had expanded significantly in recent years, with political ties strengthening, high-level exchanges becoming more frequent and trade and investment relations continuing to grow.

According to the president, Azerbaijan’s trade with Central Asian countries increased by more than 50 percent in 2025, while more than 400 companies with Central Asian capital were operating in Azerbaijan.

He noted that Azerbaijan had established joint investment funds with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, each with capital amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars.

Aliyev called for more effective use of these funds to implement joint projects, establish new manufacturing facilities and expand industrial cooperation.

“We must not limit ourselves to increasing mutual trade; we must also invest together, produce together, and enter foreign markets together,” he said.

Transport Connectivity and the Middle Corridor

The Azerbaijani president identified transport as a key area of regional cooperation, highlighting the growing importance of the Caspian Sea in connecting Central Asia with Azerbaijan and international markets.

He said Azerbaijan had invested substantially in transport infrastructure, including seaports, airports, railways and highways, to increase capacity and facilitate cargo transit.

Aliyev emphasized the need to make transport routes across the Caspian Sea more efficient and competitive, noting the increasing volume of transit cargo moving between the two shores.

He also highlighted the implementation of the Digital Silk Way project, including efforts to lay fibre-optic cables across the Caspian seabed.

Referring to the Middle Corridor, the president said transit cargo volumes along the route increased by more than 10 percent in 2025, followed by a further rise of almost 20 percent during the first eight months of 2026.

Energy Cooperation and Green Initiatives

Aliyev described energy as another important pillar of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Central Asian countries.

He noted that Azerbaijan played a significant role in transporting regional energy resources to international markets, with oil from Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan moving through Azerbaijani territory and shipment volumes continuing to increase.

The president also highlighted expanding cooperation in renewable energy, particularly joint efforts with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to establish a green energy corridor.

He said closer coordination in energy and transport would help strengthen regional connectivity and broaden access to international markets.

Regional Peace and Stability

Concluding his address, Aliyev stressed that cooperation among Azerbaijan and Central Asian countries extended beyond economic and infrastructure projects.

He underscored the importance of peace, security, political stability and economic stability as essential foundations for regional development and continued cooperation.

The president said these conditions were vital to sustaining progress across Central Asia and Azerbaijan and advancing shared regional objectives.

Aliyev concluded by reaffirming Azerbaijan’s commitment to strengthening partnerships, expanding joint economic initiatives and deepening cooperation with Central Asian states.