Baku: Azerbaijan is increasingly recognized as a crucial geopolitical bridge linking the North and South amid ongoing regional conflicts, as emphasized by Farid Shafiyev, Chairman of the Center for Analysis of International Relations and Multiculturalism (AIR Center). During his address at the international conference on ‘Security and Cooperation in the South Caucasus’, Shafiyev underscored the transformative impact of Azerbaijan’s geographical position and its major transport initiatives, particularly the Middle Corridor initiative, on enhancing the region’s economic and transit connectivity.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Shafiyev highlighted Azerbaijan’s unique contribution to regional discussions, attributing its prominence to both its strategic location and its leadership in regional projects. He recounted Azerbaijan’s pioneering efforts with the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project initiated approximately two decades ago, which laid the groundwork for the country’s current strategic significance.
The AIR Chairman further noted that the region is witnessing not only increased transport and economic activity but also a strengthening of political momentum. Shafiyev praised the growing political interaction and cooperation between the South Caucasus and Central Asia, identifying this trend as a key factor in enhancing Azerbaijan’s influence in regional and broader Eurasian geopolitical processes.