Azerbaijan is deepening its strategic engagement with Central Asian states, positioning itself as a key regional partner, said Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan, as he addressed the annual Trans-Caspian Forum via a video link.
Hajiyev highlighted expanding political, economic, and cultural ties within the broader Turkic world and the growing importance of regional cooperation frameworks, Caliber.Az reports per local media.
According to the presidential aide, the Caspian Sea serves as a key trade route for Azerbaijan and connects the country with Central Asia.
He noted that last year Azerbaijan was unanimously accepted as a full member of the Central Asia Consultative Meeting by regional countries.
“I metaphorically call this C5+1. Central Asia and Azerbaijan share historical, cultural, linguistic values and norms. Azerbaijan is also a strategic ally of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and other countries of the region. The Organization of Turkic States provides another framework for this,” Hajiyev said.
He added that due to its young demographic structure, strategic energy resources, key mineral reserves, and strong economy, the Turkic world is emerging as a new political reality and a platform for cooperation across the broader Eurasian continent.
By Vafa Guliyeva
