Xi'an Declaration - in line with the interests of Azerbaijan and Georgia

The dynamically developing cooperation of the countries of the South Caucasus with the countries of Central Asia and China within the framework of the Middle Corridor leads Azerbaijan and Georgia to join the Xi'an Declaration.

This declaration was signed by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in the Chinese city of Xi'an in May 2023 at the end of the first China-Central Asia summit. The Xi'an Declaration marked a new stage of cooperation between China and the countries of Central Asia. The document reflects a desire to strengthen the partnership in the economy, security, transport, energy and cultural exchanges.

In particular, the Xi'an Declaration contains the following key provisions
The parties appreciate the importance of the Belt and Road Initiative (OBOR) 's importance for developing international cooperation...

The Parties stress the need to enhance the status of Central Asia as one of the major trans-Eurasian transport hubs, intensify the development of the China-Central Asia transport corridor, and develop multimodal transit transport along the China-Central Asia-South Asia, China-Central Asia-Middle East, China-Central Asia-Europe routes, including the Trans-Caspian routes using the seaports of Aktau, Kuryk and Turkmenbashi, as well as the transit and transport capacities of Termez.

The Parties will jointly develop transport infrastructure, including constructing new and upgrading existing railways and roads from China to Central Asia.

The sides note the importance of completing the feasibility study of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project and promoting the early start of its construction, as well as the importance of constructing the Kazakhstan-China Ayaguz-Tacheng railway, ensuring the smooth operation of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan highway and the regular operation of the China-Tajikistan-Uzbekistan highway and the Western China-Western Europe motorway.

It is not difficult to note that both Azerbaijan and Georgia are extremely interested in the implementation of the above-mentioned provisions of the Xi'an Declaration, as it dramatically increases the demand of these countries in the transit business.

It is very symbolic that after signing the Xi'an Declaration, Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed that China and the Central Asian partners will firmly support each other on issues of sovereignty, independence, security and territorial integrity.

We will resolutely combat all forms of terrorism, separatism, extremism, drug smuggling and transnational organised crime,' the Chinese leader said.

At the same time, the fight against separatism and violations of the territorial integrity of sovereign states is fully in the interests of Azerbaijan and Georgia. Especially given that 20 per cent of Georgia's territory is still occupied and there are two separatist regimes.

Moreover, as Xi Jinping pointed out, the signatories of the Xi'an Declaration agreed to respect each other's development paths chosen in accordance with each state's national conditions and to resolutely oppose any forceful interference in each other's internal affairs under any pretext.

In brief, the main provisions of the Xi'an Declaration can be summarised as follows:

1. Economic cooperation: The Declaration calls for further development of trade and economic relations, deepening of integration under the OSOP and increasing mutual investment. Special attention is given to improving transport infrastructure, which is a key element for the successful implementation of trade routes.

2 Security: Countries expressed their willingness to work together to combat terrorism, extremism and transnational crime. The need to strengthen cooperation on cyber security and joint efforts to maintain stability in the region is underlined.

3. Energy and environment: The declaration includes provisions to promote cooperation in the energy sector, including the extraction and transportation of natural resources. In addition, the countries agreed on joint actions in the field of environmental protection and sustainable development, reflecting a common interest in addressing environmental issues.

4. Cultural and Humanitarian Exchanges: Strengthening cultural ties and humanitarian interaction was an important part of the declaration. Both sides agreed to expand educational programmes, scientific exchanges and cooperation in tourism, which contribute to better understanding and bringing people closer together.

The Xi'an Declaration of the China-Central Asia Summit has both a historical basis and the needs of the new era. Relations between China and Central Asia have deep historical roots, dating back to the Great Silk Road. In modern times, China has become the largest trading partner for the countries of the region, and their cooperation has been greatly enhanced by the One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative. The Xi'an Summit was an important step in taking this cooperation to a new level, underlining the mutual interests and strategic importance of the region.

The significance of the declaration for the Central Asian region is immense. The Xi'an Declaration is an important step in strengthening cooperation between China and Central Asia. It establishes new areas of partnership and lays the foundation for long-term cooperation. For the countries of Central Asia, it is an opportunity to gain access to large-scale investment and infrastructure projects that can significantly improve their economic situation and increase the region's role in international trade.
The principles of the Xi'an Declaration are particularly close to the hearts of Azerbaijan and Georgia today, and it also takes into account their interests in strengthening ties with China and Central Asia, including through the development of the Middle Corridor.

In particular, Azerbaijan is interested in strengthening its position as a transit corridor between East and West, which fits well with the Belt and Road Initiative. The Xi'an Declaration could strengthen its economic ties with Central Asia and China.

Georgia is also seeking to strengthen its transit and economic links, particularly in transport corridors. Increased cooperation between Central Asia and China offers new opportunities for Georgia's economic growth.

The Xi'an Declaration is likely to be adopted with some nuances by Azerbaijan and Georgia. For example, Azerbaijan is actively developing its role as a key transit hub between Europe and Asia, which fits well with China's 'One Belt, One Road' initiative. The Xi'an Declaration, which calls for greater cooperation between China and Central Asia, could help strengthen Azerbaijan's trade and economic ties with these regions. However, Baku may be concerned about the strengthening of competing transit routes, which could reduce its strategic importance.

Azerbaijan is clearly interested in attracting Chinese investment and expanding markets for its products. However, it must be recognised that Azerbaijan will be careful not to allow China's influence in the region to grow to the detriment of its interests.

Georgia, like Azerbaijan, is keen to strengthen its transit potential, particularly through the Black Sea and the Caucasus region. The Xi'an Declaration will be the basis for Georgia to deepen cooperation with Central Asia and China, which will open up new opportunities for economic growth, followed by an increase in the export capacity of Asian countries, which will require stable routes through the Caucasus linking Central Asia and Europe.

Prospects and Challenges of the Xi'an Declaration
Despite the positive aspects, there are challenges in implementing the provisions of the Declaration. One of these is the need to balance the interests of the countries of the region and China so that cooperation remains mutually beneficial. It is also important to take into account geopolitical factors and the possible influence of third parties on the development of the relationship.

In the long term, the successful implementation of the Xi'an Declaration could lead to a new level of integration between China and Central Asia, which would have a positive impact on the stability and prosperity of the region.

It should not be overlooked that the opponents of the Xi'an Declaration, the US and its allies, fear China's growing influence in Central Asia, which could weaken their position in the region. Despite its formal cooperation with China, Russia is also concerned that China will replace it as the leading partner for the Central Asian countries. It cannot be ruled out that India or Iran are also concerned about the strengthening of the Central Asian countries and Chinese influence on their immediate borders.

The Xi'an Declaration reflects such a current geopolitical reality as a sharp increase in the subjectivity of Central Asian countries in the modern world. In his recent article 'The Renaissance of Central Asia: Towards Sustainable Development and Prosperity', President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted this fact and mentioned the Central Asia-China Summit in Xi'an, where the Xi'an Declaration was signed: 'The growing political weight of Central Asia as a subject of international politics is also evidenced by the emergence of new dialogue platforms in the 'Central Asia (CA) plus' format.

To date, nine summits and meetings have been held in this format. In the last two years, the first summits 'CA-Russia' (Astana), 'CA-PRC' (Xi'an), 'CA-USA' (New York), 'CA-FRG' (Berlin), two meetings of the heads of state of CA and the European Union (Astana, Cholpon-Ata), the first summit 'CA-GCC' (Jeddah), 'CA-India' (in online format), 'CA-Japan' have taken place.
We note that other countries and international organisations are also interested in cooperating in this format. Thus, an important step has been taken towards consolidating the region's subjectivity on the world stage.

The vector of Central Asia's development is a commitment to traditional values coupled with a desire for modernisation and advanced knowledge. This makes our region a self-sufficient and influential participant in the renewing international system. Today, we want to strengthen our role as the Eurasian epicentre of international geopolitical and geo-economic transformations.

Our growing economic weight, openness to innovation and intellectual potential create the conditions for the region to become one of the drivers of the modern world order. All the more so as our countries have all the resources and opportunities to do so.

Special attention should be paid to the consolidation of efforts in the framework of joint participation in regional projects with external partners, in order to comprehensively promote common positions on dialogue platforms.

I am convinced that the time has come to position Central Asia not only as a link between Asia and Europe, but also as an independent regional actor in international relations, capable of becoming a new centre of global attraction. - wrote Kasym-Jomart Tokayev. In his article, the President of Kazakhstan emphasised that the growing subjectivity of Central Asian countries is not only about the region. Due to the growing importance of the Central Corridor, the geopolitical subjectivity of the South Caucasus countries involved in the functioning of this corridor - Azerbaijan and Georgia - as well as the key country to the west of the Central Corridor - Turkey - is growing at the same time as the subjectivity of the countries of historical Turkestan.

Elbrus Mammadov,
Director of the Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkiye Strategic Partnership Information Support Centre

SR-CENTER.INFO