As the geopolitical chessboard of Eurasia undergoes rapid transformation, Azerbaijan is positioning itself as one of the most consequential players in the South Caucasus—and beyond. With its influence expanding across Europe, Central Asia, and the energy corridors leading to global markets, Baku is no longer just a regional actor but an architect of new connectivity frameworks.
At the heart of this shift is Azerbaijan’s central role in the Middle Corridor—a transcontinental trade route linking China to Europe via Central Asia and the South Caucasus. Analysts note that Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan have become pillars of this corridor’s evolution, forging a partnership that is quietly reshaping Eurasian transport and energy flows.
Recent years have seen a cascade of strategic agreements between Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Türkiye, underscoring Turkmenistan’s active participation in the project. For Baku, this is not merely about logistics—it is about positioning itself as an indispensable bridge between East and West.
From Regional Peacemaker to Global Connector
On June 10, 2025, President Ilham Aliyev hosted Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for talks on what could become a historic peace deal—a breakthrough that would end decades of hostility and open new trade and transit opportunities across the South Caucasus. Observers see this diplomatic thaw as emblematic of Azerbaijan’s intent: to play peacemaker when it serves broader regional integration.
Just weeks later, on July 2, Aliyev welcomed Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Baku. The result: 20 new bilateral agreements and the inauguration of Uzbekistan Park in the Azerbaijani capital—a cultural landmark intended to promote Turkic unity and people-to-people exchange. Trade between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan has already more than tripled in early 2025, with a bold goal of reaching USD 1 billion in annual trade.
Turkmenistan Ties Deepen—Energy at the Core
On July 16, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, visited Azerbaijan for high-level talks. The agenda was weighty: boosting bilateral cooperation, advancing joint energy projects, and exploring routes for transporting Turkmen gas to Europe via Azerbaijan. This would require a trans-Caspian pipeline—an ambitious but geopolitically significant project, supported by both Türkiye and the EU.
Berdimuhamedov’s symbolic visit to Karabakh, widely interpreted as a statement of support for Azerbaijan’s sovereignty, was unprecedented. It followed a steady warming of relations since the 2021 agreement to jointly develop the Dostlug oil and gas field, ending decades of disputes over the Caspian’s Kyapaz/Serdar block.
Energy diplomacy has been central to the partnership. A 2021 gas-swap deal with Iran allowed Azerbaijan to purchase Turkmen gas, though flows halted in early 2024 over pricing disputes. Observers now expect negotiations to restart in the wake of Berdimuhamedov’s visit.
Regional Endorsements Elevate Azerbaijan’s Profile
In a recent high-level gathering, leaders from Türkiye, Iran, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan came together to express political support for Azerbaijan. This summit highlighted Azerbaijan’s role as a strategic bridge between Europe and Asia and a vital partner for Central Asian states, Pakistan, and European stakeholders.
The event also showcased Baku’s leadership in green energy, regional connectivity, and economic integration, reinforcing its image as a country with forward-looking diplomacy and strong convening power.
Economic Momentum and Strategic Vision
Trade between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan reached USD 383.7 million in 2024 and has already surpassed USD 118 million in early 2025. Turkmenistan’s exports to Azerbaijan are dominated by energy products, chemicals, and textiles, while Azerbaijan sends engineering goods, construction materials, and foodstuffs in return.
The back-to-back July visits of President Mirziyoyev and Chairman Berdimuhamedov to Baku further underscore Azerbaijan’s growing interest in deepening ties with Turkic-speaking nations of Central Asia—notably Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. These engagements reflect Baku’s strategic intent to solidify cooperation within the Turkic world and to strengthen the Middle Corridor as landlocked states look for reliable transit routes.
The Zangezur Corridor: A Missing Link With Strategic Weight
In this context, the Zangezur Corridor has gained visibility as a crucial missing link in the Middle Corridor, formally known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR). This overland route connects China and Central Asia to Europe while bypassing Russian and Iranian territory. The Zangezur segment, by linking Azerbaijan with Nakhchivan and Türkiye, would streamline connectivity across the Caspian Sea, the South Caucasus, and Anatolia.
As Guliyev (2025, August 5) notes, the Zangezur Corridor’s development is not merely an infrastructure project—it is a strategic reorientation of Eurasian trade and diplomacy. For Azerbaijan, it is yet another lever to enhance regional integration, resilience, and its own centrality in global connectivity.
With influential diplomacy, robust economic partnerships, and a forward-leaning transport agenda, Azerbaijan is making its voice heard internationally—transforming itself from a regional crossroads into a geopolitical anchor for Eurasia.
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