BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 10.
Meetings in Turkmenistan strengthen Azerbaijan's role in the
region, political analyst Azer Garayev told Trend.


According to him, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev's visit
to Turkmenistan was marked by international events, numerous
meetings, and discussions regarding the future of regional
cooperation held over the course of several days. The meetings in
Turkmenbashi city demonstrated that Azerbaijan's relations with the
region, and specifically with Central Asian countries, have entered
a new phase, and that the country's importance to the region is
growing in the economic, transport, and energy sectors.


Garayev noted that at the Caspian Ecological Summit, President
Ilham Aliyev drew the attention of regional countries to the
problem of the sea's receding water levels.


"President Ilham Aliyev highlighted the impact of the drop in
the Caspian Sea's water level on coastal areas, ports, transport,
and the ecosystem. According to him, the total surface area of the
sea has already shrunk by more than 20,000 square kilometers: “If
the current trend continues, the consequences could be
catastrophic. The problem of the Caspian Sea’s declining water
level extends far beyond environmental concerns. The falling sea
level directly affects the interests of our states, with
consequences for the lives of coastal communities, economic
activity, and transportation."


Emphasizing the importance of scientifically investigating the
causes of the problem, President Ilham Aliyev noted:


"The Caspian is our common heritage. Preserving its unique
ecosystem and passing it on to future generations is our shared
responsibility." This call is underpinned by concrete regional
interests. The Caspian Sea is a vital component of transport and
energy routes. A drop in the sea level could impact port
operations, the organization of cargo transportation, and the
development of coastal infrastructure. Therefore, addressing
environmental issues serves the interests of all Caspian littoral
states, not just a single country," the analyst said.


According to him, it was precisely on the initiative of
President Ilham Aliyev that a five-party commission regarding the
drop in the Caspian's water level is being established, with the
inaugural meeting set to take place in Azerbaijan.


"The commission will be composed of deputy heads of government
from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan, alongside
high-ranking representatives from Iran and Russia. Its primary
objective is to identify the causes of the Caspian Sea's receding
water level and to ensure the development and implementation of
coordinated, comprehensive measures to combat the negative
consequences resulting from this shallowing. The first meeting will
also be held in Azerbaijan in the first half of 2027," Garayev
noted.


He pointed out that another significant event attended by
President Ilham Aliyev during his visit was the meeting of the
Council of Heads of State of the CIS.


"Noting that this year marks the 35th anniversary of the
organization's founding, President Ilham Aliyev characterized the
CIS as an important platform for political dialogue and mutually
beneficial cooperation. Azerbaijan's intention to serve as co-chair
of the CIS in 2027 and its readiness to assume the chairmanship in
2028 demonstrate the country's commitment to continued active
participation within the organization. In his speech, President
Ilham Aliyev also touched upon humanitarian ties. Expressing
gratitude for the support shown in designating Lachin as the CIS
Capital of Culture, the head of state emphasized the significance
of the 3rd CIS Games held in Azerbaijan last year. The fact that
the competitions spanned seven cities across the country and
brought together thousands of athletes and guests from various
nations demonstrated how sports can contribute to strengthening
ties between peoples. Such events complement political and economic
cooperation. Mutual visits by people, as well as cultural and
sporting events, help ensure that relations between countries do
not remain limited to the level of official meetings," he
noted.


The analyst emphasized that, during the visit, President Ilham
Aliyev held meetings with the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar
Berdimuhamedov, and the President of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, and
also engaged in brief, informal conversations with other
leaders.


"During the meeting with the President of Turkmenistan, the
expansion of cooperation in political, economic, transport,
transit, logistics, cultural, and humanitarian spheres was
discussed. The parties viewed the five high-level reciprocal visits
that have taken place since last year as an indicator of the
dynamic development of relations. Meanwhile, the meeting with
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian focused on bilateral relations,
recent contacts, and the implementation of the Aghband-Kalaleh
project. It was reported that work on the project is nearing
completion. This matter is of particular importance for the
development of transport and cross-border ties between Azerbaijan
and Iran," he said.


Garayev pointed out that the meetings in Turkmenistan
demonstrate Azerbaijan's simultaneous development of cooperation
across several directions. Trade and investments with Central Asian
countries, political and humanitarian ties within the CIS region,
transport and energy routes across the Caspian, and joint
infrastructure projects with Iran constitute the core components of
this agenda.


"Azerbaijan's significance for the region lies precisely in the
interconnection of these areas. Our country plays a vital role in
facilitating Central Asia's access to European markets, fostering
cooperation within the Caspian basin, and establishing broader
regional economic ties. The meetings held in Turkmenbashi further
underscore the importance of maintaining political dialogue and
practical cooperation to realize these opportunities," the analyst
added.