Baku–Astana strategic partnership: A visit shaping the geoeconomic map of the Turkic world
President Ilham Aliyev’s state visit to Kazakhstan on October 20–21 was an important event that further strengthened relations between Baku and Astana. The visit accelerated both the deepening of the strategic alliance between the two countries and the formation of a new geoeconomic reality in the South Caucasus–Central Asia region.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's personally welcoming and seeing off Ilham Aliyev at the airport became the symbol of the high level of partnership. Tokayev’s description of Aliyev as a “historic, distinguished leader” highlighted the important role of leadership in the success of these relations.
At the center of the visit was the second meeting of the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan Supreme Interstate Council. During the meeting, a number of documents covering energy, transport and logistics, digitalization, artificial intelligence, industrial safety, and culture were signed. These agreements established the legal basis for the formation of a “sustainable route” along the Middle Corridor.
A new line of development and integration
The decision by Baku to lift restrictions on cargo transit towards Armenia was also regarded as an important step, realizing the economic dividends of peace in the region. The transit of Kazakhstani cargo through Azerbaijan demonstrates both the liberalization of regional trade and the practical results of Baku–Astana cooperation.
The leaders’ visit to the “Alem.AI” International Artificial Intelligence Center in Astana demonstrated that digital integration between the two countries has become a priority. This is a signal of political support for the development of the Trans-Caspian fiber-optic cable and digital trade platforms.
The Astana visit further strengthened the strategic content of Azerbaijan–Kazakhstan relations and laid the foundation for a new phase in regional cooperation. The visit, promoting the synchronized development of political, economic, and technological integration, served to reinforce friendship and partnership.
Political analyst Sultan Zahidov, a leading adviser at the Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center), said in his statement to APA that the state visit of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to Kazakhstan on October 20–21 initiated a new stage of strategic cooperation between the two countries.
According to him, President Ilham Aliyev’s visit holds significant importance in terms of strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries: “It should be noted that this is President Ilham Aliyev’s seventh visit to Kazakhstan in the last three years. During the same period, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has also visited Azerbaijan six times. These intensive reciprocal visits and the signed documents demonstrate that the relations between the two countries are developing dynamically and positively. There are numerous factors that unite Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. Most importantly, both countries are connected by common historical roots, culture, language, and ethnolinguistic values. These shared values foster mutual trust and strengthen cooperation between the peoples.”
According to the expert, the two countries also share common interests in the fields of energy, agriculture, industry, investment, and transport-logistics: “In particular, both states are key leading participants in the Middle Corridor project. This project not only ensures strategic freight transportation between Asia and Europe but also makes a significant contribution to the region’s economic integration. The presentation of the project for the development of the Middle Corridor by Kazakhstan as part of President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to Kazakhstan demonstrated that Baku and Astana will continue their joint efforts to further improve this transport route and increase the volume of freight transportation. Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are today already considered “middle powers” at the regional level. Both countries not only ensure stability and socio-economic development domestically but also pursue active and balanced policies on the international stage. Kazakhstan is one of the leading states in Central Asia, while Azerbaijan is one of the leading states in the South Caucasus. These similar positions create conditions for the formation of common interests and the deepening of cooperation between the two countries.”
From regional cooperation to multilateral partnership
Sultan Zahidov added that it is important to view Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan relations not only in a bilateral but also in a multilateral context: “Because both countries actively cooperate in a number of international and regional organizations, including the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), and support each other’s positions. Regular meetings, mutual initiatives, and future plans within this organization further confirm the strength of the strategic partnership between the two countries. As part of the visit, the second meeting of the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan Supreme Interstate Council was also held. As noted by Kazakhstan’s President Tokayev, this Council demonstrates the high level of relations between the two countries. During the meeting, important decisions were made on various directions of cooperation. President Ilham Aliyev’s visit brought new dynamics to Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan relations. As emphasized by the President of Kazakhstan, as a result of these visits, the volume of mutual trade turnover is expected to double in the coming years, reaching 1 billion dollars. This is a concrete indicator of the economic outcomes of the partnership.”
He noted that Azerbaijan’s cooperation with the Central Asia region is today one of the main priorities of its foreign policy.
“This cooperation is based not only on geographical proximity but also on shared economic and cultural ties. Azerbaijan works together with Central Asian countries on international energy and transport-logistics projects. The Middle Corridor has become an important part of this cooperation. What was previously conceived as the ‘C5+1’ format has now transformed into the ‘C6’ format — a new cooperation model that includes Azerbaijan. This fact shows that the Central Asian countries recognize Azerbaijan as a natural partner of the region. One of the important issues raised during President Ilham Aliyev’s visit was the removal of transit restrictions on cargo to Armenia. The head of state noted that grain transportation from Kazakhstan to Armenia will now be carried out through Azerbaijan’s territory and via Georgia. This demonstrates that the peace process has entered a practical phase. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan also positively welcomed this step and expressed his gratitude to President Aliyev. This fact shows the real possibilities for peace and cooperation in the South Caucasus. As a result, Azerbaijan’s political and economic relations with Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Europe are consistently expanding. This serves not only the development of our country but also the strengthening of peace, stability, and mutual trust in the region. President Ilham Aliyev’s active participation in international and regional summits is clear proof of Azerbaijan’s growing international influence and image as a reliable partner,” Sultan Zahidov concluded.
High-level visit strengthened strategic cooperation
Sharing his thoughts with APA on the results of the President’s visit, Almat Tokeyin, an expert of the Foreign Policy Research Institute under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, noted that the visit took place at a high level, in an atmosphere of mutual trust and strategic partnership.
According to the expert, President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to Kazakhstan created an important political and economic impulse for transitioning the relations between the two countries to a new stage of development: “As a result of the talks during the visit, the parties set a goal to increase mutual trade turnover to 1 billion dollars, which is a strategically significant indicator, however, the existing potential is much greater than this figure. For comparison, we can note that Kazakhstan’s trade turnover with Uzbekistan is 4 billion, and with Kyrgyzstan, approximately 2 billion dollars. Therefore, there are serious opportunities for the growth of Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan economic relations.”
Baku–Astana relations are becoming the strategic pillar of the Turkic world
According to expert Almat Tokeyin, President Ilham Aliyev’s visit holds significant importance not only for bilateral relations but also for strengthening strategic cooperation within the Turkic world. In his view, as Ilham Aliyev emphasized within the framework of the Organization of the Turkic States, the main priority is to deepen cooperation among Turkic-speaking countries in all fields – economic, humanitarian, and even military-technical directions – which serves the formation of the Turkic world as a unified strategic space.
“President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to Kazakhstan gave new dynamics to Baku-Astana relations. The presidents demonstrated political will to further deepen cooperation by giving concrete instructions to the governments. It is expected that these decisions will turn into real steps and that relations will be strengthened in all directions,” the expert said.
A new phase in economic and humanitarian relations
The expert noted that expanding cooperation in industry, agriculture, education, and logistics increases the strategic depth of Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan relations and strengthens President Ilham Aliyev’s influence in the region.
“In the next phase, expanding cooperation in industrial cooperation, agriculture, and shipbuilding, as well as strengthening humanitarian and educational ties—especially integration among youth, universities, NGOs, and civil society—is considered a priority direction. This will deepen the strategic nature of relations and create new platforms for cooperation. The heads of state also emphasized the importance of developing transport and logistics connections through Caspian ports. In particular, President Ilham Aliyev’s participation in the informal consultation format of Central Asian country leaders is an indication of Azerbaijan’s growing role in the region and the high level of trust placed in Ilham Aliyev. The representation of a South Caucasus state in this format demonstrates the formation of close political, economic, and cultural ties with Central Asia,” he added.
According to him, the Azerbaijani diaspora in Kazakhstan and the Kazakh community in Azerbaijan play an important bridge role in this process, further strengthening the social foundations of friendship and mutual trust between the two peoples.
