AIR Center Chairman: Interest in strengthening connections between Central Asia and the South Caucasus is increasing

Interest in strengthening connections between Central Asia and the South Caucasus is increasing. This process is driven by the interplay of economic needs, political calculations, and broader global development trends. Overall, these factors are transforming regional cooperation from a mere option into a strategic necessity, said Farid Shafiyev, Chairman of the Board of the Center of Analysis of International Relations, during his speech at the Gulf–Central Asia Think Tanks Online Forum, organized in partnership with the Gulf Research Center and the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, The Daily Baku reports.

During his remarks, Shafiyev noted that for landlocked economies, stable transit routes are not only a matter of logistics but also a key factor directly affecting competitiveness.

“Cooperation with Azerbaijan offers a practical solution that reduces dependence on traditional transit corridors and facilitates secure access to European and other global markets. In this regard, the development of integrated trade, logistics, and multimodal infrastructure across the Caspian region is of great importance.

Although Azerbaijan has long been one of the main transit hubs for Central Asian exports, recent geopolitical changes and targeted infrastructure development have made this route more attractive and practically viable. This trend is also reflected in expanding regional cooperation in trade, energy, and infrastructure.

Trade statistics confirm this trend. According to official data, in the first nine months of 2025, trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Central Asian countries exceeded 1 billion US dollars, showing a 58% increase. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan remain Azerbaijan’s two largest trading partners in the region: in 2025, Azerbaijan–Kazakhstan trade amounted to approximately 670.6 million US dollars, while Azerbaijan–Uzbekistan trade reached around 795.2 million US dollars. At the same time, trade with Kyrgyzstan rose to 77.2 million US dollars, indicating that this dynamic is not only bilateral but part of a broader regional trend.

Ongoing instability in the Middle East, including tensions in the Red Sea and risks in key maritime chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz, has increased concerns about the reliability of traditional sea transport routes. As a result, land transport connectivity across Eurasia is gaining increasing strategic importance.”