Azerbaijan Prioritizes Strengthening Ties with Turkic States, Says Ambassador

“Trade between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan is steadily rising, with both countries working toward an ambitious new goal - a $1 billion trade turnover. While the latest figures for 2024 - $533 million - hit just half of it,” Aghalar Atamoglanov, Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Kazakhstan said in an interview with The Astana Times.

“In 2023, 1.3 million tons of Kazakh oil were exported via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, which is 5.5 times more than in 2022. In 2024, this figure increased to 1.5 million tons, Atamoglanov noted.

“In 2023, cargo transported via the Middle Corridor (Trans-Caspian International Transport Route) totaled 2.76 million tons, representing a 65% increase compared to 2022. In the first 10 months of 2024, total cargo volume reached 3.8 million tons, 68% higher than during the same period in 2023. Container shipments also surged. This includes 27,600 TEU shipped from China, a substantial 26-fold increase compared to 2023,” he emphasized.

“The Turkic world spans a vast geographic area with a population of over 200 million people and possesses enormous economic potential, rich energy resources, and vital transport routes. Expanding ties with Turkic countries and strengthening the unity of the Turkic world is one of Azerbaijan’s key foreign policy priorities,” the ambassador underlined.

“In 2023, the number of Kazakh citizens visiting Azerbaijan increased by 91% compared to 2022, reaching 58,072 people. In 2024, this figure rose to 86,304, a 49% increase compared to 2023,” Agalar Atamoglanov added.