Victories, diplomacy position Azerbaijan as middle power in Central Asia Kazakh expert says

Zhanat Momynkulov, candidate of philosophical science, chief expert of the Academy of Public Administration under the President of Kazakhstan hailed Azerbaijan's role in Central Asia which undergone a notable transformation. 

"A statement by President Ilham Aliyev at the meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, addressing the growing global threats and the need to enhance defence and security cooperation, aligns well with the unexpected message from President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan," he told AZERTAC.

Momynkulov noted that Tokayev also emphasized the necessity of cooperation in defence and security amidst the ongoing complex military-political situation.

The Kazakh expert underlined that, given the challenging geopolitical environment, both Central Asia and Azerbaijan are seeking common ground and offering mutual support.

He highlighted that the emerging diplomatic direction could be a promising "Central Asia + Azerbaijan" format. This arrangement envisions Central Asian countries as strategic partners and potential allies to Azerbaijan, facilitating mutually beneficial geopolitical and economic adjustments amid Western and Russian tensions.

The expert explained that the five Central Asian countries view Azerbaijan as a gateway to the outside world—namely, Europe—while Azerbaijan perceives the region as a bridge to the East. Baku has increasingly become a central transit hub and transportation artery for the Turkic world. As a result, the regional countries are eager to welcome Azerbaijan into their fold.

Momynkulov, remarked on the significant impact of Azerbaijan’s decisive victories in 2020 and 2023, which saw the return of its rightful territories. These achievements have resonated deeply and earned sincere respect from the people of Central Asia. With its experienced and agile military, Azerbaijan has emerged as a key player in the Turkic geopolitical sphere, its significance growing in light of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The pundit explained that while Central Asia offers relative stability and opportunities for Baku, Azerbaijan could become a crucial strategic asset for Kazakhstan in regional politics.

“Azerbaijan is effectively becoming a middle power and a reliable ally for Astana,” he said. “Enhanced military and economic cooperation with Baku would bolster regional security. In other words, Azerbaijan is now considered on par with other middle security actors and, alongside Türkiye, contributes a stabilizing effect to the region. This could position Azerbaijan as a key player in creating a small but effective mid-scale alliance for future security guarantees.”

He added that this positioning is likely to attract European interest, as Europe seeks deeper collaboration with Central Asia. Azerbaijan, through its adept and multi-faceted diplomacy and strengthening alliances with various actors, presents opportunities for Europe, which is also keen on establishing mutually beneficial connections with Central Asia.

Momynkulov also noted that the rapprochement between Azerbaijan and Central Asia is underpinned by a strategic assessment that takes into account the strong cultural ties between the regions.