Format “6”: Azerbaijan and Central Asia deepen strategic integration From the Zangezur Corridor to ecology

The formula “5+1” has transformed into a unified “6” — this idea was expressed by Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev on the social network X.

“Previously, Azerbaijan–Central Asia relations were often described in a ‘5+1’ formula — symbolizing the five Central Asian states plus Azerbaijan as a separate partner. However, today this formula has evolved from a sheer mathematical concept into a political and historical reality — even into the matter of chemistry- transforming into a unified ‘6,’ reflecting the deepening integration, constituting single geopolitical entity and shared destiny among these nations based on our common history, culture, traditions, ethnic and linguistic kinship,” wrote Hikmet Hajiyev.

But what do experts from Central Asia think about this? Kazakh, Kyrgyz, and Tajik political analysts shared their views on this topic with Caliber.Az.

According to Kazakh political analyst Olzhas Amirzhanov, the results of the Azerbaijani President’s state visit to Kazakhstan are hard to overestimate, as a large number of cooperation documents were signed during the visit — covering such areas as energy, transport and logistics, digitalisation, healthcare, statistics, and more.

“Moreover, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty on Strategic Partnership and Allied Relations between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Republic of Azerbaijan, the presidents adopted a Joint Statement. In addition, the second meeting of the Supreme Interstate Council of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan was held with the participation of the heads of both states.

However, in my view, the most important aspects of President Aliyev’s visit were the statements regarding the launch of the Zangezur Corridor, as for the first time clear dates and figures were announced, making it evident that Baku and Yerevan have settled all major issues related to this topic. What was until recently a matter of debate and discussion has now become an undeniable fact.

President Aliyev stated that the opening of the Zangezur Corridor could take place by the end of 2028 and emphasised that, in addition to the traditional Middle Corridor route, another one is emerging — through Zangezur — with a projected cargo turnover of 15 million tonnes, meeting the most modern standards. This news is extremely important for the Republic of Kazakhstan, as we can now develop a joint roadmap for the corridor’s operation and begin state-level planning for Kazakhstan’s trade with other countries, taking into account the potential of the Zangezur Corridor,” said Amirzhanov.

In turn, Kyrgyz political scientist and PhD in Political Science Umar Mutaliev noted that Azerbaijan is the only country within the European community that has managed to fully establish a functioning integration space with the Central Asian states.

“Azerbaijan is rapidly gaining political and economic weight on the international stage, and the Central Asian countries — its strategic partners — are ready to make every effort in the name of peace and development in the region. For instance, Kyrgyzstan intends to participate in all of Azerbaijan’s global projects and to advance them through coordination among the Central Asian nations.

Meanwhile, the Middle Corridor is already operational in Kyrgyzstan, and we are eagerly awaiting the implementation of its final and crucial segment — the Zangezur Corridor. Cargo transportation between our countries is already functioning under a special protocol: following Türkiye and Uzbekistan, freight shipments using the electronic permit form ‘e-Permit’ have also been carried out with Kyrgyzstan,” said Mutaliev.

Tajik political analyst Eraj Alimov emphasised that trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Tajikistan amounted to $6.54 million in January–May 2025, which is 2.3 times higher than in the same period last year.

“Hikmet Hajiyev’s view reflects the trends that are now rapidly shaping new formats of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Central Asian countries — each year showing record growth rates. For example, preparations are actively underway for the construction of small and medium-sized hydropower plants in Tajikistan with the participation of Azerbaijani companies. This will be a joint contribution by the two countries to the development of clean energy and the reduction of emissions, which will have a positive impact on shaping the ‘green’ energy policy in the Central Asian region.

As stated by Tajikistan’s Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, Baku and Dushanbe are interested in implementing large-scale joint projects — in the oil and gas industry, logistics, heavy industry, as well as in promoting environmental initiatives. As we can see, both states are active initiators of the international climate agenda, yet the potential for expanding our cooperation remains immense,” said Alimov.