Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev described his personal interaction with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev as an important factor in the development of bilateral cooperation and regional projects. He said this at the IV Shusha Global Media Forum, responding to a question from Chairperson of the Management Board of QAZCONTENT JSC Adil Seifullin.

On July 13-14, 2026, the IV Shusha Global Media Forum was held in the city of Shusha under the theme “The Role of Media in Promoting Peace: Restoring Truth and Strengthening Trust.”

About 160 representatives of the media, the expert community, government bodies, and intl organizations from 54 countries took part in the forum. Participants included representatives of around 30 international news agencies and more than 60 leading media organizations.

One of the central events of the forum was a plenary session with the participation of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Representatives of international media were given the opportunity to ask the head of state questions.

Adil Seifullin, Chairperson of the Management Board of QAZCONTENT JSC, addressed the President of Azerbaijan on behalf of Kazakhstan. He noted the high level of bilateral cooperation between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, as well as the role of the two countries in shaping new transport and economic routes. According to him, the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, known as the Middle Corridor, has already become an important link between Asia and Europe.

Adil Seifullin asked what role the President of Azerbaijan assigns to the strategic partnership with Kazakhstan, as well as to his personal interaction with Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, in developing bilateral relations.

In his response, Ilham Aliyev first of all expressed gratitude to the President of Kazakhstan and the people of Kazakhstan for their assistance in the restoration of Karabakh. He recalled that a Children’s Creativity Center named after the Kazakh composer Kurmangazy was built in the city of Fuzuli with Kazakhstan’s support. The facility was opened with the participation of the presidents of both countries.

“I am very grateful to President Tokayev for his help in restoring Karabakh. The Children’s Creativity Center in Fuzuli bears the name of the great son of the Kazakh people, Kurmangazy. Together with Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, we opened this center,” Ilham Aliyev said.

The President of Azerbaijan emphasized that the personal relationship between the leaders of the two states helps strengthen the Kazakh-Azerbaijani partnership.

“Our personal relationship with President Tokayev is an important factor in the development of bilateral cooperation and regional interaction,” he noted.

According to Ilham Aliyev, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan have an extensive joint agenda. The geographical position of the two states on opposite shores of the Caspian Sea determines their key role in implementing transport, logistics, and infrastructure projects. The head of Azerbaijan stated that without active cooperation between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, the implementation of major transport initiatives in the Caspian region would be virtually impossible.

The countries pay particular attention to developing the Middle Corridor. Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are consistently expanding port and transport infrastructure, aiming to increase the route’s capacity and shorten cargo delivery times between Asia and Europe.

In addition, a four-party cooperation format between Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Türkiye is in place. Within its framework, the parties discuss tariff policy, digitalization of transport processes, simplification of customs procedures, and improving the efficiency of freight transportation.

Ilham Aliyev also spoke about joint energy projects. He recalled that in 2024, in Baku, the presidents of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan signed an agreement on a project to build an energy cable along the bottom of the Caspian Sea. A feasibility study for the project is currently being prepared. The new energy route is expected to expand cooperation between Central Asia and the South Caucasus and create additional opportunities for exporting electricity to foreign markets.

Another important area is the construction of a fiber-optic cable between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan along the Caspian seabed.

According to Ilham Aliyev, the project will be significant not only for the two countries but also for the wider region. The new infrastructure could be used to develop digitalization, data processing, AI, and other modern technologies.

The President of Azerbaijan also noted the two countries’ cooperation in the oil and gas sector. Kazakh oil is already being transported through Azerbaijani territory in certain volumes, which contributes to diversifying export routes and increasing the resilience of the regional energy system.

Speaking about Kazakhstan’s development, Ilham Aliyev gave a positive assessment of the reforms being carried out in the country and wished the people of Kazakhstan further success.

He also shared his impressions of a recent trip to Turkistan.

“I was deeply impressed by how carefully the historical heritage is preserved there and how the memory of great ancestors is honored,” said the head of Azerbaijan.

Ilham Aliyev stressed that he is pleased with the dynamic development of relations between the two countries.

Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan continue to expand cooperation in the transport, energy, digital, trade and economic, and cultural and humanitarian spheres. Regular high-level political dialogue remains one of the key factors of this interaction.

The IV Shusha Global Media Forum is dedicated to strengthening trust in the media, countering disinformation, the digital transformation of media, the use of artificial intelligence, and the development of international cooperation.

Forum participants are also discussing the role of journalism in promoting peace, restoring trust, and ensuring objective coverage of international events.

Photo source: Azerbaijan State News Agency (AZERTAC)