Analyst: Aliyev's Bishkek diplomacy strengthens Azerbaijan's Eurasian role

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's meetings and diplomatic activity on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Bishkek are strengthening Azerbaijan's role as an important transport and economic link in Eurasia, alongside efforts to finalize the peace process between Baku and Yerevan, political analyst Badri Nachkebia told Report's Georgian bureau.

Nachkebia, who holds a doctorate in history, is an Honored Journalist of Georgia and heads the Center for Terrorism and Political Studies.

According to him, the processes observed on the SCO platform in Bishkek represent a continuation of President Ilham Aliyev's diplomatic efforts aimed at strengthening peace and development both in the region and beyond.

"We can now see that diplomacy led by Ilham Aliyev is also using the SCO platform to bring the issue of signing a comprehensive peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia to a final resolution. I think this is another step and probably also a signal to Pashinyan himself to accelerate the process," the analyst said.

Nachkebia also drew attention to President Ilham Aliyev's meetings during the visit with representatives of Central Asian countries and the President of India.

"This shows that Azerbaijan is one of Eurasia's important connecting links and will play an even greater role in various fields in the near future. This primarily concerns the economy and international economic corridors, namely the route known as the Silk Road. Azerbaijan plays a key role here as a connecting link," he stressed.

The analyst said Azerbaijan's growing regional role is also important for Georgia.

"There is no doubt that all issues that serve Azerbaijan's interests will naturally also be of interest to Georgia at the regional level as its strategic partner. Georgia is also one of the key corridors providing access to the West through its ports," Nachkebia added.

According to him, the development of transport and logistics cooperation between Azerbaijan and Georgia creates opportunities to expand the region's economic ties and increase the transit potential of both countries.