Chief Research Fellow at the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies Sanat Kushkumbayev has said that Azerbaijan’s accession to the Central Asian consultative meeting format as a full-fledged participant - known as C6 - significantly broadens the region’s potential and adds a new strategic dimension to cooperation.

Speaking during a panel discussion at the international conference “C6: One Region, Shared Future - Enhancing Strategic Dialogue” in Baku, Kushkumbayev emphasized that the expanded format reshapes the region’s geopolitical identity, The Caspian Post reports via local media.

From Landlocked to Linked

“With this expansion, our region ceases to be exclusively landlocked and gains a direct linkage: South Caucasus - Türkiye - Mediterranean,” he noted.

The expert said that Azerbaijan’s participation connects Central Asia more closely with global markets through the South Caucasus corridor, enhancing access to Europe and beyond.

A Platform for Coordinated Industrial Policy

Kushkumbayev also highlighted the potential role of the United States in supporting coordination of the region’s industrial policy. This could include harmonizing standards, jointly entering external markets, and strengthening the region’s collective bargaining position in dialogue with the European Union, China, the Middle East, South Asia, and other partners.

As C6 evolves, analysts say the format could transform from a consultative mechanism into a strategic platform capable of shaping broader economic and geopolitical cooperation across Eurasia.