From Brussels to Beijing: Azerbaijan's role in global politics Expert opinions on Caliber.Az

A joint statement on expanded strategic cooperation between Baku and Beijing has attracted significant attention from international analysts and political scientists. Opinions on this event vary widely, but their essence boils down to one key point: Azerbaijan is seen as a crucial player in the context of a potential partnership bloc with Central Asian countries and China. Against the backdrop of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas’s visit to Azerbaijan, some experts suggest that Baku is preparing to become a key link between the EU and China.

Russian and Belarusian political scientists have helped Caliber.Az understand the situation and assess which viewpoint is closer to reality.

According to Russian political scientist Dmitry Gradov, Baku is demonstrating exceptional multi-vector diplomacy in its political strategy.

"Azerbaijan manages to find common ground with the West and build fruitful, close cooperation based on energy supplies, while also effectively engaging with the countries of the so-called North and South.

The joint statement with China highlights the strengthening of Baku's status as a player capable of executing masterful political manoeuvres. Azerbaijan is becoming a major centre of influence in several regions of Eurasia. While cooperating with Europe, Baku simultaneously maintains close ties with Moscow, Ankara, Tel Aviv, and Central Asian countries—centres of power that are scattered over thousands of kilometres.

The statement on expanded strategic cooperation with Beijing further strengthens Baku's influence on the politics of various countries. The deepening partnership with China indicates, at the very least, one thing — Azerbaijan is becoming that special international partner whose cooperation opens a whole range of connections in key regions of the world.

I wouldn't categorise Azerbaijan into any specific group of countries pursuing their own political agendas. I believe the strength and authority of Baku lie in its ability to evenly distribute efforts, building a multi-level balance in foreign policy. This unique form of strategic planning is truly impressive," noted Gradov.

According to Belarusian political scientist and economist, candidate of political sciences, Sergey Tomits, Belarus welcomes the strengthening of cooperation between Baku and Beijing. Azerbaijan is a reliable partner for Minsk and has repeatedly offered its political resources for dialogue between Belarus and countries such as Türkiye and Israel.

"Baku is becoming the centre of a major political and economic combination within the cooperation framework of the countries of the Middle Corridor and the EU. In this way, Baku finds itself at the centre of a giant coordinate axis, where, perpendicular to the Middle Corridor, the North-South Corridor operates with its own dynamic processes, as well as other transport and logistics routes.

Azerbaijan is turning into a kind of moderator of these trade routes. It is evident that President Aliyev's negotiations in Beijing highlight the significance that China attaches to cooperation with Baku.

I am confident that Azerbaijan intends to fully leverage these advantages in its global strategy, laying the foundation for peaceful and balanced political and economic cooperation with a wide range of countries," concluded Tomits.