The critical and principal decision to admit the Republic of Azerbaijan as a full participant in the Central Asian consultative meetings format was an important event that could change the geopolitical dynamics in the Eurasian space. This step represents not just a new political agreement, but the result of a long process of rapprochement based on growing mutual interest, cultural closeness, and the alignment of strategic interests between Azerbaijan and the Central Asian states. This decision was a natural stage in the development of regional ties, reflecting the natural synergy between the two regions, which increasingly perceive each other as parts of a single strategic space. 

In recent years, Central Asia has been intentionally forming a platform for internal integration and strengthening regional autonomy, and Azerbaijan's inclusion in this format expands the region's boundaries, transforming it from a local association into a broader Eurasian cooperation framework. The new format allows Central Asia and the South Caucasus to be connected into a single infrastructure, logistics, and economic belt, creating a strong and sustainable "bridge" between the two regions. This step strengthens strategic interconnectedness, providing Central Asian countries with access to the Caspian Sea, the South Caucasus, and further to the Black Sea and Mediterranean regions, while offering Azerbaijan new opportunities to expand its economic and political presence in Central Asia. 

What was particularly characteristic was that how warmly the leaders of Central Asian countries welcomed the decision to expand the format by including Azerbaijan. The summit had a genuine fraternal spirit, not a formal one, emphasizing that Azerbaijan's presence is seen as a natural and necessary element for the region's further development. This sentiment was reflected in the words of the President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Japarov, who noted that the expansion of the format with the inclusion of Azerbaijan will open up new horizons for cooperation for the Central Asian states, especially in the areas of international transit, logistics, and energy. This emphasis highlights that Azerbaijan is not just seen as a new participant, but as a country capable of strengthening regional projects and giving them additional momentum. 

Azerbaijan's strategic importance for Central Asia is due to its key position on the Middle Corridor - one of the most important routes connecting Asia and Europe. Azerbaijan's infrastructure and logistical role allows Central Asian states to diversify their trade routes, reduce dependence on traditional routes, and integrate more quickly into global value chains. In turn, Azerbaijan gains access to an expanded market, opportunities for developing joint industrial projects, and deepening energy cooperation. 

In this context, the Zangezur Corridor is attracting particular attention from Central Asian countries, which already view it as a strategically important route providing direct access to European markets. The activation of this transport artery is organically linked to the region's large-scale infrastructure projects: as Sadyr Japarov noted, the construction of the strategically important China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railroad is not just a transport project, but a factor capable of reshaping the entire regional logistics, opening the shortest route to the largest markets in Asia and Europe. In this light, the Zangezur corridor is perceived as a logical continuation of this railroad, creating a single transit chain. The Kyrgyz leader also proposed creating a digital platform called "Digital Transit Corridor" for exchanging customs data and processing documents based on the "single window" principle, which would significantly increase the efficiency of transport interaction. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev confirmed that the construction of the Zangezur Corridor in Azerbaijan is nearing completion: its initial capacity will be 15 million tons, and the railroad and highway will become key arteries of the entire Middle Corridor. Thus, the project acquires not only transport but also strategic significance, strengthening Azerbaijan's role as a key link in transport connectivity.

With Azerbaijan joining this format, the launch of new economic projects, the expansion of cooperation, and the strengthening of mutual trade and economic ties will inevitably occur.  Increased trade turnover, the development of industrial cooperation, the creation of joint logistics hubs, and increased investment activity will be natural derivatives of deeper integration. At the summit, the initiative of Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who proposed creating a new institutional platform – the "Central Asian Union," as well as adopting a long-term program of trade and economic cooperation until 2035 and a declaration on the formation of a common investment space, attracted particular attention. These measures are capable of increasing mutual trade between the countries of the region and

Azerbaijan by 1.5–2 times, creating a qualitatively new level of economic interconnectedness and sustainable development for all participants. 
The membership of Azerbaijan is particular importance for the development of diplomatic relations with countries that were previously overshadowed by intensive regional diplomacy – in particular, with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.  These countries are actively seeking new economic opportunities today and are striving to increase trade with Azerbaijan by developing cooperation in industry, agriculture, construction, and logistics. Azerbaijan's new status in the regional format can give impetus to specific projects, accelerate the establishment of joint ventures, and contribute to the exchange of experience in economic modernization.

In addition to traditional areas of cooperation, the rapid development of Central Asia as a new technological hub is attracting particular attention. The region is demonstrating significant acceleration in digitalization, innovation, and the development of artificial intelligence. One of the most symbolic events was the creation of a separate Ministry of Artificial Intelligence in Kazakhstan – a step that underscores the region's serious intentions in building an advanced technological infrastructure. Central Asia is becoming a platform where states are actively discussing AI application standards, ethical frameworks for its implementation, data security issues, and digital regulation. For Azerbaijan, which is striving to strengthen its position in high technology and the digital economy, Central Asia's experience could prove extremely valuable. Elements related to state regulation of AI, the implementation of digital services, the development of an innovative ecosystem, and the creation of conditions for technological entrepreneurship are particularly important. Sharing experiences in these areas can lead to the formation of joint research centers, the launch of transregional technological programs, and the creation of a unified digital space for cooperation.

Although Azerbaijan is geographically located in the South Caucasus, in fact, Central Asia and Azerbaijan are already forming a single geopolitical and geoeconomic region whose importance in the world is rapidly growing. This new regional configuration is capable of providing the regions bordering Central Asia with additional stability, expanding transportation and trade horizons, and taking cooperation between countries to a qualitatively new level.