Amid shifting global supply chains and rising geopolitical competition over trade corridors, attention is increasingly turning to the strategic role of transit states linking Central Asia, the South Caucasus, Europe and the Middle East.
In this context, Baku and Tashkent are increasingly being highlighted as emerging coordination hubs for regional connectivity and infrastructure diplomacy.
On AnewZ's Daybreak Nadia Gyane asked Firdavs Kobilov, Deputy Dean for Scientific and International Cooperation, whether Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan are emerging as critical transit coordinators across these interconnected markets.
Kobilov said energy and infrastructure diplomacy are becoming central pillars of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.
“Energy and also infrastructure diplomacy are rapidly becoming backbone of the Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan's strategic cooperation. The fragmentation of the global supply chains and also the geopolitical consequences of ongoing conflicts, growing competition over trade corridors have dramatically increased the importance of this transit states, including Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan.”
He added that both countries hold significant strategic weight within the Eurasian transport and logistics landscape.
“Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan occupy highly strategic, geostrategic importance in Eurasia. Azerbaijan functions as a getaway between Europe and the Caspian Basin, while Uzbekistan represents one of the largest economies in Central Asia with the largest population.”
Kobilov also noted that current geopolitical and economic trends are strengthening the case for deeper transit cooperation between the two countries.
“If current trends continue, Baku and Tashkent, I would think that they could emerge as a key transit coordinators linking Central Asia with South Caucasus and also with Europe, as well.”
Kobilov underscored the growing strategic importance of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan within Eurasian connectivity networks. He highlighted how shifting global supply chains and geopolitical tensions are increasing the value of transit states, with Baku and Tashkent potentially positioned as key coordinators linking Central Asia with Europe through the South Caucasus.
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