Azerbaijan Deepens Strategic Ties With Central Asia Through C6 Membership

Azerbaijan’s recent integration into the Central Asian Heads of State Consultative Meeting, known as the C6 format, reflects a shift in regional cooperation and foreign policy priorities. This development is seen as part of a broader strategy to enhance connectivity and economic ties across the Caspian and Central Asian regions.

Farid Shafiyev, Chairman of the Center of Analysis of International Relations in Baku, stated at an international conference on February 18, 2026, that Central Asia is regarded as a strategic partner for Azerbaijan. He also noted that the country’s foreign policy over the past six years has emphasized diversification, regional cooperation, and improved connectivity.

Azerbaijan’s accession to the C6 format was formalized at the Seventh Consultative Meeting of Central Asian Heads of State in Tashkent on November 16, 2025. The inclusion of Azerbaijan expanded the format from C5 to C6, marking a new phase in regional collaboration according to official statements from the summit.

During the Tashkent meeting, leaders highlighted that Azerbaijan’s participation is expected to enhance trade, investment, and cultural exchanges among the member states. The summit also underscored the potential for coordinated development initiatives spanning the Caspian and Central Asian regions.

What the numbers show

• Azerbaijan joined the C6 format in November 2025
• The Seventh Consultative Meeting was held in Tashkent on November 16, 2025
• Six years of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy have focused on regional cooperation

Azerbaijan’s geographic location and advanced maritime and transport infrastructure have been identified as assets for the region. These features provide landlocked Central Asian countries with improved access to Türkiye and Europe through the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route.

Shafiyev emphasized that while historical and cultural connections remain important, the current phase of cooperation is shaped by geoeconomic factors. He identified energy, transport, logistics, and infrastructure as key areas driving the partnership between Azerbaijan and Central Asia.

The expansion of the C6 format represents a formal step toward deeper regional integration. Leaders have described Azerbaijan’s membership as a historic development for the consultative mechanism and for broader regional cooperation.

As Azerbaijan continues to participate in the C6 format, its role in supporting connectivity and economic collaboration with Central Asian states is expected to remain a central aspect of its foreign policy approach.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.