Expert: C6+1 opens new chapter in cooperation between Washington, Baku, Central Asia

The United States is showing growing interest in the South Caucasus and Central Asia, reflected in its support for expanding the regional C5+1 format to a C6+1 framework with Azerbaijan’s participation.

John E. Herbst, Senior Director of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, stated this at the inaugural Azerbaijan–US think-tank forum in Baku on November 18, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

Herbst noted that the forum comes just two weeks after the first-ever U.S.–Central Asia presidential-level meeting in Washington, where the White House designated the region as one of its new foreign-policy priorities.

He stressed that the decision of Central Asian countries at the Tashkent summit to broaden the C5 format to C6 by including Azerbaijan reflects Baku’s growing role in the regional architecture.

Speaking about Washington’s policy, Herbst underlined President Donald Trump’s interest in strengthening peace in global “hotspots,” including the South Caucasus. He recalled the August 8 meeting in the Oval Office, where the leaders of the United States, Azerbaijan, and Armenia signed a document formalising peace between Baku and Yerevan.

“The corridor [the Trump Route — ed.], named after the U.S. President, underscores his personal commitment to advancing the peace process in the region,” he said.

Herbst also noted that the launch of the inaugural Azerbaijan–U.S. Think-Tank Forum and the creation of the C6+1 structure open a new chapter of cooperation between expert communities in Washington, Baku, and the Central Asian states.

“We will work closely with our partners in Central Asia and the South Caucasus to hold the next forum already next fall and to institutionalise cooperation among the region’s analytical centres,” Herbst said.

By Khagan Isayev