Russian expert highlights Azerbaijan’s growing Influence in Central Asia

In the coming years, the dynamics of regional powers in Central Asia will hinge on the success of various transit projects, according to Daria Saprynskaia, a researcher at the Institute of Asian and African Countries at Lomonosov Moscow State University.

Her comments came during a video conference connecting Astana, Moscow, Bishkek, Tashkent, and Dushanbe, hosted by the Sputnik-Kazakhstan multimedia press centre, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

Saprynskaia noted that while Central Asian countries were previously viewed in isolation, with each nation pursuing its own agenda, there is now a growing sense of unity, particularly in the context of transport corridor diplomacy.

She identified two key trends shaping the Central Asian region, emphasizing Azerbaijan's increasing involvement. “It was significant for Russia to observe Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev as a guest at the recent Central Asian heads of state summit in Astana. His presence underscores the growing importance of the Turkic vector in Central Asian cooperation and highlights the strategic necessity of strengthening the Trans-Caspian corridor and focusing on the Middle Corridor,” Saprynskaia explained.

She further stressed that Central Asia, in collaboration with Azerbaijan, is actively developing new infrastructure and constructing innovative transport routes. “It is crucial for all countries in the region to work together on a unified roadmap to prevent any inconsistencies,” she added.

The Central Asia Summit, held in Astana on August 9, resulted in the adoption of several key documents, including the "Central Asia-2040" regional cooperation development concept and the Treaty on Friendship, Good Neighborliness, and Cooperation for Central Asia in the 21st century.