Top official: Azerbaijan emerging as strategic Eurasian connectivity hub

Azerbaijan is evolving into a key hub for Eurasian connectivity as the Middle Corridor develops from a transit route into a broader geo-economic system linking Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan Hikmet Hajiyev said.

Speaking at the Trans-Caspian Forum 2026, Hajiyev said the Middle Corridor now represents a significant transformation in the architecture of Eurasian transport and trade links, Caliber.Az reports. 

“Emphasized that the Middle Corridor is no longer merely a transit route - it is evolving into a strategic geo-economic system linking Europe, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia, reflecting a structural shift in the architecture of Eurasian connectivity,” Hajiyev wrote on X following the event, noting that it was an honour to speak at the forum. 

He highlighted Azerbaijan's expanding role in regional connectivity, attributing it to major investments in rail, maritime, aviation and digital infrastructure.

According to Hajiyev, Azerbaijan’s geographic position and its ties to multiple regions strengthen its role as a bridge between continents.

“Azerbaijan’s unique South Caucasian, Central Asian, European, Middle Eastern, and Caspian geopolitical identities and dimensions complement and reinforce one another, positioning the country as a natural bridge across regions,” he said.

Hajiyev also argued that the influence of regional powers is increasingly determined by their ability to build partnerships and shape international agendas rather than by traditional indicators alone.

“Noted that in today’s world, the strength of a regional middle power is measured not only by geography, population, economic size, or military capabilities, but also by the quality of its partnerships, its connectivity, and its ability to shape regional and international agendas and it’s influence at the global stage. Azerbaijan increasingly reflects this model,” he wrote on X. 

He added that Azerbaijan increasingly reflects this model and reaffirmed the country's commitment to promoting “secure, resilient, and future-oriented connectivity across Eurasia.”

By Sabina Mammadli