Azerbaijan's achievements in recent years have elevated the country to the status of a middle power, significantly expanding its influence beyond the South Caucasus region, Chairman of the Board of the Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center) Farid Shafiyev said during a seminar in Ankara.

The event was jointly organized by the AIR Center and the Center for Strategic Research of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye, News.az reports.

According to Shafiyev, Azerbaijan's growing international role is driven by a combination of military and political achievements, including the restoration of its territorial integrity, its leading role in the regional peace process, strategic transport and energy initiatives, active multilateral diplomacy and mediation efforts, as well as hosting major global events such as COP29 and the World Urban Forum (WUF13).

"The Shusha Declaration on Allied Relations, signed between Azerbaijan and Türkiye in 2021, is of particular strategic importance for our country. The declaration reaffirmed the principles of solidarity and mutual support in bilateral and multilateral formats on issues of national interest, including independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the inviolability of the internationally recognized borders of both states," Shafiyev said.

He stressed that Azerbaijan's geostrategic position at the crossroads of Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East has transformed the country into one of Eurasia's key transit and logistics hubs.

Shafiyev noted that Azerbaijan's active role in developing the Middle Corridor has strengthened its position as a vital bridge connecting different geopolitical regions.

Speaking about regional connectivity, he said the post-conflict period has created new opportunities, particularly through the prospect of opening the Zangezur Corridor, which has been institutionalized under the TRIPP framework in line with the Washington Declaration.

He added that Azerbaijan's importance as a regional transport and connectivity hub has increased further amid disruptions to traditional supply chains caused by the Russia–Ukraine war and growing instability in the Middle East.

Shafiyev also highlighted Azerbaijan's commitment to expanding its green energy sector through investments in renewable energy projects, including solar and wind power.

According to him, initiatives such as the Black Sea Submarine Cable Project demonstrate the country's ambition to become not only a reliable hydrocarbon exporter but also an emerging regional hub for green energy and sustainable connectivity.

The AIR Center chairman further emphasized that Azerbaijan's diplomatic initiatives and mediation efforts continue to reinforce its role as a middle power.

Among the examples, he cited Azerbaijan's efforts to facilitate diplomatic contacts between Israel and Türkiye, as well as between Israel and Syria. He also underlined the country's active international advocacy on humanitarian issues, particularly raising global awareness about the devastating impact of landmine contamination.

Shafiyev concluded by noting that Azerbaijan is broadening the geographical scope of its foreign policy by strengthening cooperation with countries in Africa and Asia, alongside major global centers of power.

"Azerbaijan's independent foreign policy contributes not only to regional but also to global peace and security. The country's efforts to ensure stability and sustainable development in the South Caucasus, including its pragmatic and forward-looking approach to peace negotiations with Armenia, reflect Azerbaijan's rational diplomatic course," he said.

https://news.az/news/how-are-the-middle-corridor-and-diplomacy-boosting-azerbaijan-s-global-standing