Azerbaijan has become key actor reshaping balance of power in South Caucasus — Georgian expert

Azerbaijan, as a major center of power in the South Caucasus, has expanded its influence to the global stage through active geopolitical and geoeconomic initiatives, becoming an increasingly influential international actor, Georgian political analyst Gia Abashidze told the Georgian bureau of Report.

According to him, the statements made by Ilham Aliyev in Zangilan on May 10 once again demonstrate that Azerbaijan acts as both the author and principal advocate of peace in the region.

"As a wise leader, President Ilham Aliyev fundamentally transformed Azerbaijan following the Second Karabakh War, particularly the political and economic landscape of the South Caucasus. The new realities created by Azerbaijan are of special importance for regional integration. The significance of transport and logistics corridors has increased, while economic interdependence has grown even stronger," the analyst said.

He added that these developments have significantly altered the regional balance of power.

"Azerbaijan has emerged as a stronger regional actor and is actively cooperating with Türkiye, the European Union, Central Asian countries, and other states. As a result, the South Caucasus is becoming a more multipolar space. The West, as well as actors pursuing a neocolonial approach, are being forced to accept the principle of equality. The new realities have created a historic opportunity for the South Caucasus to gradually transform from a conflict zone into a hub of cooperation, transit, and economic connectivity," Abashidze emphasized.

Commenting on the opening of the Zangazur Corridor and the integration of Azerbaijan's liberated territories, Abashidze said these steps would make a significant contribution to the development of transport infrastructure, the expansion of energy and digital communication networks, and the attraction of investment to Karabakh and East Zangazur.

"In this process, Georgia, as a reliable partner of Azerbaijan, supports and actively participates in regional integration and cooperation projects," he added.