Astana and Baku: Strategic Alignment Between the South Caucasus and Central Asia

The state visit of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to Kazakhstan on October 20–21 marked a strategic alignment on key issues shaping the development and prosperity of the broader South Caucasus–Central Asia region. Astana and Baku reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation across all sectors.
Foremost among these is the development of transport and logistics connectivity, particularly along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the "Middle Corridor." This initiative involves modernizing roads, railways, ports, and related infrastructure. During the visit, the “Development of the Middle Corridor” project was presented in Astana, underscoring the route’s growing role in regional and intercontinental trade. Freight volumes along the corridor rose by 62% last year, reaching 4.5 million tons, and have increased by an additional 2% so far this year. Shipments of goods from China to Azerbaijan are expanding and are projected to triple by 2030 compared to current levels. To further boost capacity, the parties plan to establish a unified long-term tariff system, aiming to raise annual freight volumes to 10 million tons.
In his press remarks, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted ongoing infrastructure projects, including the construction of a container hub in Aktau and a cargo terminal at the port of Alyat—with participation from international partners, including Chinese companies. Discussions are also underway regarding a new Trans-Caspian ferry system to facilitate cargo exports.
Energy cooperation remains another pillar of bilateral ties. Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan already collaborate on transporting Kazakh oil via the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline. SOCAR and KazMunayGas are currently negotiating joint development of the Dunga oil field. Additional high-potential projects include the Aktau–Sumgait fiber-optic cable (FOCL) along the Caspian seabed and a planned deep-sea power cable that would interconnect the two countries’ energy grids—significantly bolstering their capacity to export green energy. Moreover, transit shipments of Kazakh uranium products to global markets pass through Azerbaijani territory.
During the visit, the two sides signed 15 cooperation agreements spanning energy, transport and logistics, digitalization and artificial intelligence, industrial safety, healthcare, statistics, and cultural and humanitarian exchanges. They also agreed to pursue measures aimed at raising bilateral trade turnover to $1 billion in the near term.
The leaders further discussed the outcomes of the Washington agreements signed on August 8. President Aliyev emphasized that these accords open significant development opportunities—not only for the signatories but for the wider Eurasian region. He announced that Azerbaijan has lifted all cargo transit restrictions previously imposed on Armenia following the occupation era, noting that the first post-restriction shipment consisted of Kazakh grain destined for Armenia.
On the Zangezur Corridor, Aliyev stated that Azerbaijan plans to complete its segment of the road and rail infrastructure by mid-next year. Should other involved countries maintain a similar pace, the corridor could become operational by the end of 2028. “One of the key outcomes of the August Washington summit was the TRIPP project—the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity,” Aliyev remarked. “President Trump has lent his name to this project, which naturally suggests that it will definitely be implemented. This opens another route along the Middle Corridor. In addition to the traditional route, another one will be added – through Zangezur, with a cargo turnover of 15 million tons, meeting the latest standards. So, the volume of cargo from Asia to Europe and back through our countries has the potential to grow, but will also have even greater potential for receiving and shipping these cargoes”.
In sum, President Aliyev’s visit to Astana underscored the deepening strategic interdependence between the South Caucasus and Central Asia. Azerbaijan provides a gateway to Europe, while Kazakhstan offers access to Central Asian and Chinese markets. Against the backdrop of intensifying global competition between major powers, the fact that the South Caucasus and Central Asia will be able to act from a consolidated, trustworthy position, becoming independent centers of influence, will certainly significantly increase their international weight and change the geopolitical balance in the region.
Irina Khalturina

SR-CENTER.INFO