Marat Terterov for Day.Az: President Aliyev’s Visit to China Strengthens Azerbaijan’s Role as a Key Transport Hub

In this interview with Day.Az, Brussels Energy Club founder Marat Terterov reflects on the geopolitical and economic implications of President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to China — highlighting its role in strengthening Azerbaijan’s position as a regional transport hub and its growing engagement in green energy development.

Source: President Aliyev’s Visit to China Strengthens Azerbaijan’s Role as a Key Transport Hub – Brussels Energy Club Founder for Day.Az (in Russian)

High-level visits such as the trip of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to China carry global significance, especially against the backdrop of shifting political and economic dynamics worldwide.

This was stated in an interview with Day.Az by Marat Terterov, founder and principal representative of the Brussels Energy Club.

According to him, the President’s visit represents an important step in Azerbaijan’s strategy to diversify its foreign policy and economy.

“Azerbaijan is a small country surrounded by major powers such as Russia, Turkey, and Iran, as well as neighboring Georgia and Armenia. To strengthen its sovereignty and statehood, Azerbaijan must at times make difficult decisions and navigate between regional powers and global players such as the EU, China, the US, and the Arab world,” he said.

Marat Terterov noted that President Aliyev’s visit to China is a strategically sound and important decision, as Beijing has, over the past decade, actively developed global projects aimed at strengthening transport and logistics infrastructure both domestically and internationally.

“The New Silk Road, as part of this global initiative, represents a strategically vital route for China, enhancing trade relations with neighboring countries and regions, including Azerbaijan. China is seeking to build and expand infrastructure that supports economic growth and strengthens the South Caucasus as a transport hub,” the expert emphasized.

He added that the South Caucasus is a key link in regional transport logistics, with significant projects such as the East–West and North–South corridors.

“These corridors are supported by countries including Russia, Iran, and Turkey. President Aliyev’s visit to China further solidifies Azerbaijan’s position as a vital transport hub, and China will undoubtedly be a key partner in expanding infrastructure and investing in the region. These steps are aimed at strengthening Azerbaijan’s standing in global transport and logistics diplomacy,” added the Brussels Energy Club founder.

At the same time, the expert pointed out that China’s growing interest in regions along these transport corridors — including the South Caucasus — could also contribute to advancing the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

“China and Turkey, recognizing the potential of the ‘Middle Corridor,’ are providing political support for the development of logistics projects, which in turn could help facilitate peace between the two countries. Economic integration in the region — in part through China’s involvement — could become a crucial element of the peace process. In addition, Azerbaijan, as an oil and gas-producing nation, is now investing in green energy. In recent years, its energy development model increasingly resembles the strategies of countries like the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, where economic growth relies heavily on oil and gas, but these resources are also driving projects in renewable energy,” Terterov said.

He also noted that Azerbaijan is actively attracting investment — including from major players such as Masdar — into solar and wind energy projects. This contributes to the expansion of high-voltage electricity networks across the country and the development of infrastructure for more efficient use and transmission of renewable energy.

By Hayal Khatamzadeh