The unwillingness of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the integration process in Europe

According to the report of the international group of Tasnim news agency, one of the events on the political agenda of this week in the South Caucasus was the visit of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sadir Japarov, to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Sadir Japarov's talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in the framework of this trip can be considered as the expansion of bilateral relations and multilateral cooperation.

During this trip, 18 documents were signed between the Republic of Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan. Based on the provisions of those documents, it can be said that the two countries emphasize the dynamic view of economic-commercial relations and transportation.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev announced to the press during a joint conference with his Kyrgyz counterpart: We discussed widely in the energy and transportation sector. We see a lot of potential here. We are interested in renewable energy investment projects in Kyrgyzstan. As for the transport sector, major transport and railway construction projects are underway in Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan. Of course, now it is necessary to start consultations on the digitalization of transportation routes and agreement on the tariff policy. We need to facilitate the route of Europe through the Caspian Sea, Central Asia not only in terms of distance, but also in terms of commercial attractiveness.

Sadir Japarov also said: In these talks, the prospect of mutual activity between the two countries regarding the development of international transport corridors from Central Asia and the South Caucasus was discussed.

These statements indicate that the parties are exploring broader regional contexts in the geopolitical space, while at the same time emphasizing the importance of supporting each other in bilateral relations and international organizations.

Azeri political expert Tarab Rezayev said in an interview with Trend news agency about the development of relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan: The Republic of Azerbaijan has actually openly announced that we no longer support the process of integration into the European Union.

He emphasized: Our future path is through integration with Turkish countries. Political, economic and military relations between Azerbaijan and Türkiye are established. We cooperate with Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan in the field of energy, transportation and logistics. In the last 2 years, the trade turnover between the Turkic countries has more than doubled.

This political expert noted that economic and political relations with Kyrgyzstan are still weak. We are trying to improve political and economic relations with Kyrgyzstan in the future. In addition, there is a connection between our countries in historical, national, cultural and religious issues. The reception of President Ilham Aliyev in his visits to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan showed that relations with Turkish countries are based on moral bond. Likewise, it is particularly important to recall that the presidents of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan built a school in Nagorno-Karabakh and supported the infrastructure during their visits to Azerbaijan. Kyrgyzstan will also participate in the construction work in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan. Taking such a step on the part of Kyrgyzstan is of special importance for us. At the same time, the monument of Genghis Aitmatov was erected in Azerbaijan. It also helps in national, cultural and literary relations.

“Agshin Karimov” writes in this regard in “Kaspi” newspaper: To clarify the issue further, it should be said that Kyrgyzstan cannot be considered a very strong country in terms of military power and economic indicators. But Bishkek's membership in the Organization of Turkic States (TDT) brings more economic, political and geopolitical benefits for it. Azerbaijan and its strategic ally Türkiye play a major role in the formation of this situation. The Baku-Ankara tandem aims to significantly protect the Turkic governments in Central Asian countries, including Kyrgyzstan, from the consequences of competition from the West, Russia and China in terms of their common interests.

Aqashin believes: Therefore, in addition to strengthening the identity of the Organization of Turkic States in Kyrgyzstan, it is very important to show interest in political stability and stable security in this country. Azerbaijan under the leadership of Ilham Aliyev supports stability and security in all regions. However, amid the intensifying competition for global concentration of power, many regions are vulnerable to foreign intervention. The political and security situation of Kyrgyzstan is also sensitive and the risk of being pressured in the midst of power competition has not disappeared. Therefore, there is a need to increase attention to large-scale investment projects to ensure political, economic and security stability in Kyrgyzstan. For this reason, it is no coincidence that Ilham Aliyev and Sadir Japarov expressed their positions on the investment portfolio in the light of economic-commercial cooperation and mutual transportation.

He emphasizes: Of course, the strengthening of China's economic leverage in the Central Asian region cannot be ignored. Beijing is making significant economic investments in Central Asia as part of the Belt and Road Initiative, offering significant opportunities for infrastructure development. The latest example for the Bishkek government is the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project. Currently, paying attention to the China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Caspian railway project and creating an opportunity to increase the circulation of goods can be considered as an important priority in the Baku-Bishkek line. Therefore, Kyrgyzstan should look at the challenges of putting this country in a significant healthy balance in terms of relations with Azerbaijan and representation in the Organization of Turkic States. From this point of view, it can be said that the political order of the Organization of Turkic States does not shy away from showing its multi-dimensional approach between Russia-West-China. Because many projects in the region, including the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor (Middle Corridor), focus on China's geopolitical opportunities. This increased attention will undoubtedly focus the West and Russia on competing with each other as much as possible. However, the focus on the western orientation of Kyrgyzstan's political elite prevents one-sided economic dependence and facilitates the attraction of direct or indirect foreign investment.

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