Milestone of friendship and partnership Following President Aliyev’s visit to Kazakhstan

On October 20–21, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, paid a state visit to Kazakhstan. Upon his arrival at Astana International Airport, a ceremonial guard was formed in his honour. Aliyev was personally welcomed by his Kazakh counterpart, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

During the visit, a series of events with a rich agenda took place in the Kazakh capital. In Astana, a one-on-one meeting was held, during which Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted that under Ilham Aliyev’s leadership, Azerbaijan has significantly strengthened its positions, enhanced its international authority, and plays a very important role as a regional power.

“For us, fostering both economic and trade-economic cooperation — not to mention advancing our political partnership — is an urgent and highly important task,” he emphasised.

Ilham Aliyev, in turn, noted: “Today, Kazakhstan demonstrates a high level of development. The country ensures socio-political stability, and its economy is self-sufficient. We observe with great interest the reforms you are implementing and fully support your course toward modernizing the country and enhancing its potential. Regarding our bilateral relations, you noted their strategic and allied nature. We are focused on strengthening interaction across all areas.”

Following the one-on-one meeting between the presidents of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, a presentation was held on the “Middle Corridor Development” project (the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route). Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Ilham Aliyev were briefed that the Middle Corridor, serving as a major transport and logistics route connecting China and Central Asian countries with Europe, plays a strategic role in strengthening regional and intercontinental trade. It was emphasised that freight volumes from China to Azerbaijan are increasing and are expected to triple by 2030 compared to current levels. This, in turn, further underscores the importance of the project.

Next, the second session of the High-Level Azerbaijan–Kazakhstan Intergovernmental Council took place. During the meeting, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted, among other points, the historical significance of the Washington agreements between Azerbaijan and Armenia, noting that the accords reached between the two countries open new horizons for cooperation both within the region and beyond.

Ilham Aliyev emphasised that a new phase has now begun—the phase of peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia. “Today, a new stage is beginning — I would even say that it has already begun — an era of peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The initialing of a peace agreement less than two years after the last clashes testifies to the fact that both countries have demonstrated a significant level of political will. And, of course, the role of US President Donald Trump in the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia deserves the highest recognition. The Washington summit on August 8 effectively put an end to the long-standing conflict, opening up great prospects for development, including in the broader regional context, of the Eurasian continent,” the Azerbaijani president noted.

After the Council meeting, the leaders of the two countries made statements for the press. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasised that the negotiations focused particularly on expanding trade and economic ties, noting the need to take measures to double bilateral trade in the near future and raise it to $1 billion. The Kazakh leader also highlighted that Astana and Baku are interested in establishing joint ventures, mentioning the planned launch of transformer production, construction of residential and infrastructure facilities, and the development of joint projects in shipbuilding.

Touching on global issues, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said: “We have had an exchange of views on all other pressing issues of the regional and global agenda. We acknowledge the alignment of our positions on all current international political issues. We have emphasized the importance of coordinating efforts at the level of various structures. A mutual commitment to strengthening peace, security, and stability at the regional and global levels has also been reaffirmed.”

It is noteworthy that Kassym-Jomart Tokayev twice highlighted that Ilham Aliyev is an outstanding statesman of historic significance, underscoring the President of Azerbaijan’s stature within the global political framework.

During his address, the President of Azerbaijan shared important news symbolising a new phase of cooperation for the wider Central Asian and South Caucasus region:

“I should also note that Azerbaijan has lifted all restrictions on cargo transit to Armenia that had existed since the time of occupation. The first such transit cargo was a shipment of Kazakh grain to Armenia. I do believe that this is also a good indicator that peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia is no longer just on paper but is already a matter of practice.”

Ilham Aliyev emphasised that the active cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan is acquiring significant geopolitical importance, and that with the development of new transport routes and projects linking Eurasia, the Caucasus, and Central Asia, there is a growing need for constant attention and engagement by state leaders to ensure these initiatives deliver tangible, practical results.

The president also highlighted the considerable potential of the Zangezur Corridor project. According to Aliyev, within Azerbaijan, construction of road and rail infrastructure for the project will be completed by the middle of next year. “We do hope that progress in other countries will be just as rapid, and in that case, the opening of the Zangezur Corridor could take place by the end of 2028,” he added.

In total, 15 cooperation documents were signed during the state visit of the President of Azerbaijan to Kazakhstan, covering the fields of energy, transport and logistics, digitalisation and artificial intelligence, industrial safety, healthcare, statistics, and cultural and humanitarian relations.

In conclusion, it should be noted that relations between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are distinguished by rapidly expanding cooperation—from transport and logistics infrastructure (including routes through the Trans-Caspian Corridor) to digital integration and investment projects. In addition, the two countries are strengthening military-technical cooperation: in 2024, a bilateral cooperation plan was signed, followed by joint naval and air exercises, while in 2026, Azerbaijan proposed holding joint manoeuvres of the member states of the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS).

On the international stage, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan share common positions, both advocating for UN reform, including the expansion of the Security Council and the enhancement of the role of medium-sized powers and regional players.

It can be stated that the state visit of President Ilham Aliyev to Kazakhstan marked an important milestone in the relations between Baku and Astana and will give a new impetus to bilateral ties.