BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 18. The development
of the Middle Corridor has played a major role in the integration
processes between Azerbaijan and the countries of Central Asia,
Azerbaijani MP, Director of the Institute for Development and
Diplomacy, Fariz Ismailzade, said at an international conference
entitled 'C6: One region, shared future – enhancing strategic
dialogue', Trend
reports.


According to him, political, economic, and humanitarian aid have
contributed to strengthening Azerbaijan's ties with Central Asian
countries.


"The development of the Middle Corridor has played a very
significant role in our integration processes, as Russian railways
have been under sanctions for the past four years. Transporting
European products to China and Central Asia via Russian railways
has become more difficult," Ismailzade explained.


He recalled that Iran has been under sanctions for over 20
years, and accordingly, the Middle Corridor—the route through Baku
and Alat, linking ports with Aktau and Turkmenistan- has become a
key integration link for developing relations.


"Azerbaijan is increasingly focusing on China. Last April,
President Ilham Aliyev paid a state visit to China, where a
strategic partnership agreement was signed," he noted.


At the same time, the MP emphasized that the development of
Azerbaijani-Chinese relations also contributes to strengthening
integration processes in Central Asia.


"To access Chinese markets, Azerbaijan must pass through Central
Asia. This means developing infrastructure and transport projects,
energy projects, and joint investments. Therefore, Azerbaijan
currently has bilateral investment funds with Kazakhstan,
Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan, which actively contribute to
strengthening economic ties," he added.


He also underscored that the parties are investing in joint
economic projects and production.


"A joint Uzbek-Azerbaijani textile factory is already operating
in Karabakh. There are numerous plans for the future. These
processes demonstrate that integration with Central Asia for
Azerbaijan is more than just pompous political slogans. It's
specific integration in economic, transport, and energy projects,
and all of this impacts the C6 format.


The C6 format has great potential if attention is paid to
strengthening its institutions. In this case, it could become a
good example, like the Organization of Turkic States, which also
began as a humanitarian platform, a rather weak form of
integration, but subsequently saw a strong process of
institutionalization and the development of various cooperation
mechanisms," Ismailzade concluded.


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