Ilham Aliyev's Astana visit poised to inject new vigor into Kazakhstan-Azerbaijan ties - Kazakh analyst

The upcoming state visit of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to Kazakhstan is expected to provide a fresh impetus for strengthening and diversifying economic cooperation between the two countries, Kazakh political analyst Aigerim Zhampehtova told Olaylar.

"Following the visit, we can anticipate expanded collaboration across transport and logistics, energy, industry, and agro-industrial sectors. Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are already actively working on the development of the Middle Corridor, focusing on increasing its capacity, modernizing port and railway infrastructure, and establishing joint logistics operators to overcome existing barriers and improve route efficiency," Zhampehtova said.

She highlighted the significant potential in energy, including green technologies and renewable energy projects, while noting that the agro-industrial sector offers opportunities to increase agricultural product deliveries. This year, Kazakhstan became the main grain supplier to the Azerbaijani market, accounting for around 85 percent of total imports. Cooperation in digitalization is also expanding, including the creation of joint platforms for e-services and e-commerce.

"Modern relations between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan can be characterized as a stable strategic partnership built on longstanding friendship and mutual trust. Shared historical roots, language, religion, and values provide a natural foundation for cooperation. Diplomatic relations were established in August 1992 and have developed dynamically since then," Zhampehtova added.

She noted key milestones, including the Declaration on Friendly Relations and Strategic Partnership signed in Astana in 2004 and the Strategic Partnership and Alliance Agreement signed in Baku in 2005. Today, cooperation spans politics, economy, transport, logistics, investment, and cultural-humanitarian exchanges. Coordination within international organizations and regional initiatives, including the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) and the International Trans-Caspian Transport Route, remains central.

The analyst emphasized that trade and economic cooperation have significantly strengthened in recent years, particularly in transport and logistics.

"Both countries coordinate efforts to develop the Middle Corridor, modernizing the ports of Aktau, Kuryk, and Baku, and establishing joint logistics operators. Energy collaboration is also advancing, including the transit of Kazakh oil through Azerbaijani infrastructure, such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline," the expert added.