Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan Strategic Partnership: October 21, 2025 Presidential Visit Highlights and Logistics Cooperation.

On October 21, 2025, a significant diplomatic event took place in Astana, as the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, held a high-level meeting with the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. This visit marked an important milestone in the strategic partnership and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries, with a strong focus on economic, transport, and logistics development.

Bilateral Meeting and Statements

During the official one-on-one meeting, President Tokayev welcomed President Aliyev, highlighting the close ties between the two nations, describing Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan as not only friendly states but also as “brotherly nations.” He emphasized that deepening multifaceted cooperation remains a top priority for Kazakhstan, acknowledging Azerbaijan’s growing international influence and regional importance.

President Aliyev expressed gratitude for the warm reception and reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. He praised Kazakhstan’s achievements under President Tokayev’s leadership, particularly in socio-economic development and modernization, and emphasized the strategic nature of Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan relations.

Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to expanding collaboration across various sectors, particularly in transport, logistics, energy, and economic cooperation, as well as in culture, education, and humanitarian initiatives.

Launch of the Middle Corridor Development Project

On the same day, the leaders participated in the presentation of the “Middle Corridor Development” project, also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. This corridor serves as a key link connecting China and Central Asia with European countries, playing a strategic role in regional and intercontinental trade.

Officials highlighted the growing volume of shipments from China to Azerbaijan and projected a threefold increase in cargo flows by 2030 compared to current levels. Specific steps to enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of the Middle Corridor were discussed, emphasizing the corridor’s role in strengthening Eurasian transport connectivity.

Signing of Bilateral Agreements

The visit also included a series of official agreements and memorandum exchanges between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan:

• Strategic Partnership Declarations: Marking the 20th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership and Alliance Agreement between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.
• Sectoral Cooperation Agreements: Covering industrial property protection, energy, internal affairs, statistics, health, digital services, AI development, and anti-monopoly/competition policies.
• Joint Investment Initiatives: Memorandums were exchanged between “Samruk Kazyna” and Azerbaijan’s investment and energy entities to foster joint investment projects and industrial cooperation.

These agreements demonstrate the comprehensive scope of Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan relations, with particular emphasis on transport, logistics, and economic integration.

Logistics and Transport Cooperation

Transport and logistics were central themes of the visit, reflecting both countries’ shared commitment to regional connectivity:

• Expansion of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route to facilitate higher cargo volumes, with last year’s shipments along the corridor growing by 62% to 4.5 million tons.
• Development of container hubs and port infrastructure, including Kazakhstan’s Aktau port and Azerbaijan’s Alat port, to ensure smooth cargo flows.
• Exploration of new Trans-Caspian ferry systems to enhance export capacity and logistics efficiency.
• Plans for the Zangezur corridor, combining road and rail links, expected to be completed by mid-2026 within Azerbaijan, with broader regional integration projected by the end of 2028.
• Collaborative initiatives in fiber-optic communications across the Caspian Sea to support digital logistics and transport management.

The leaders highlighted the importance of harmonizing tariffs and eliminating bottlenecks along the corridor, aiming to increase cargo throughput to 10 million tons, enhancing the corridor’s competitiveness and regional significance.

Economic, Energy, and Industrial Cooperation

Economic collaboration was another key area of discussion:

• Expansion of bilateral trade with a target of reaching $1 billion in the near future.
• Joint ventures in agriculture, energy, processing industry, construction, and digitalization.
• Industrial projects, including joint transformer production and shipbuilding initiatives.
• Energy collaboration, including transport of Kazakh oil through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, with plans to increase throughput.
• Infrastructure projects supporting green energy exports, including subsea electricity cables, and cooperation in uranium supply chains.

These initiatives demonstrate a strategic approach to regional development, energy security, and economic integration between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.

Cultural, Educational, and Humanitarian Cooperation

Beyond logistics and economic matters, the visit emphasized the importance of cultural and humanitarian collaboration:

• Expansion of cultural events, such as Kazakh culture and film festivals in Azerbaijan.
• Strengthening educational and scientific exchanges, including the operation of the Kazakhstan-Azerbaijan Science and Education Center in Baku.
• Development of youth programs and educational projects in liberated regions of Azerbaijan, exemplified by the Kurmanqazi Children’s Creativity Center in Fuzuli, reflecting the strong brotherly support from Kazakhstan.

These initiatives highlight the multifaceted nature of bilateral cooperation, combining strategic, economic, and social dimensions.

Regional and Global Cooperation

The leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues, emphasizing:

• Shared positions on international affairs and multilateral platforms.
• Coordination on peace and security in the South Caucasus and wider Eurasian region.
• Support for peace initiatives, including historical contributions to negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Such efforts underline the broader geopolitical importance of Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan relations, extending beyond bilateral trade and logistics into regional stability and international cooperation.

Conclusion

President Aliyev’s state visit to Kazakhstan on October 21, 2025, reinforced the strategic partnership and alliance between the two countries. The agreements signed, projects launched, and discussions held demonstrate a shared commitment to:

• Enhancing regional transport and logistics networks, including the Middle Corridor and Zangezur corridor.
• Expanding economic, energy, and industrial cooperation.
• Strengthening cultural, educational, and humanitarian collaboration.
• Promoting regional stability, peace, and connectivity.

This visit underscores the depth and breadth of Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan relations, highlighting their shared vision for a connected, prosperous, and strategically integrated Eurasian region.