The comprehensive cooperation between Azerbaijan and Central Asian nations serves as a prime example of a strategic partnership built on mutual respect, trust, and shared interests.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that President Ilham Aliyev made these remarks during an interview with the Uzbekistan National News Agency (UzA).
According to the President, Azerbaijan's active engagement in this process has effectively transformed the former "C5" cooperation format into a "C6" format, granting regional dialogue and strategic partnership new substance and scale:
"Azerbaijan's full participation in this format demonstrates the strategic importance our country places on relations with Central Asia. Discussions held within the framework of consultative meetings allow for strengthening mutual trust among regional countries, identifying new areas of cooperation, and implementing significant initiatives for regional development," the President stated.
President Ilham Aliyev emphasized that Azerbaijan's involvement is a clear indicator of the country's contribution to strengthening interregional cooperation:
"The dialogue and cooperation mechanisms established within this platform serve not only to develop interstate relations but also to ensure peace, stability, and sustainable progress across the Eurasian space."
The "C5+1" format, which traditionally includes Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, has gained significant geopolitical momentum in recent years. Azerbaijan's integration into this framework, often referred to as the "C6" format, underscores Baku's pivotal role as a bridge between the Caspian Sea region and Central Asia, particularly in the development of the Middle Corridor, a vital logistics route connecting East and West.
