The cooperation between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan is steadily strengthening, with the two countries being natural and geo-economically determined partners. In recent years, this predetermined cooperation has gained new dynamics and incentives.
According to Aliya Musabekova, the chief expert of the Department of Asian Studies at the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of Kazakhstan, the importance of cooperation between the two countries cannot be overstated.
The convergence of Astana and Baku has been somewhat influenced by the escalation of the international situation and the increasing importance of overland continental transport routes. These factors, combined with the traditionally strong cultural and historical ties between the two nations, have played a significant role.
Judging by the dynamics of mutual visits by the heads of states in recent years, Azerbaijan has become an important geopolitical and geo-economic partner for Kazakhstan in the South Caucasus region.
The recent state visit of Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Azerbaijan was extremely successful and productive. The two countries have launched the work of the High Interstate Council, signed 14 cooperation agreements in addition to the 140 agreements already in place. In other words, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan have embarked on actively implementing a wide range of mutually beneficial cooperation.
The connection between the two countries is expanding literally. During the visit, a ceremony was held to open a railway route from the inland port of Xi'an in China, passing through Kazakhstan, to Azerbaijan.
Furthermore, there is currently the laying of a fiber-optic communication line along the bottom of the Caspian Sea. This project envisions the creation of a digital telecommunication corridor from Europe to China. Given the rapid development of the digital sphere in Kazakhstan, this channel is of key importance for furthering the country's information and communication technologies.
It is often overlooked that Azerbaijan is also a neighboring country to Kazakhstan, with whom it shares not only the Caspian Sea, language, culture, history, and economic corridors but also a common vision of the future global development. Both republics, as medium-sized states and leaders in their subregions - Central Asia and the South Caucasus - are focused on strengthening their independence and promoting peaceful, conflict-free development. At this current historical stage, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan adhere to a balanced, multi-vector policy, advocating for the consolidation of the legal basis of international relations, de-escalation of global tensions, and sustainable development for humanity.
