Orkhan Yolchuyev, Director of the Center for Analysis of Strategic Policy and International Affairs (CASPIA), gave an interview to The Caspian Post, where he outlined his vision for the evolution of the C6 cooperation format and its long-term strategic implications for the region.

Yolchuyev described the C6 platform as a natural product of ongoing regional transformation processes across the broader Eurasian space. According to him, the initiative brings together Azerbaijan and five Central Asian states that share historical, linguistic, cultural, and partially religious ties within a unified cooperation framework.

“The C6 format is a natural outcome of the regional transformation processes unfolding across Eurasia,” he said. “Although it has not yet evolved into a fully institutionalized international organization, it already functions effectively as a dialogue platform.”

He stressed that in the context of growing volatility in the international system, such coordination mechanisms are becoming increasingly important. The platform, he argued, enables participating states to formulate strategies based not only on bilateral partnerships but also on shared international interests, thereby strengthening political solidarity and defending common positions.

Yolchuyev emphasized the significant economic and geostrategic potential of the C6 space. The region’s logistical capacity to connect East and West across Eurasia positions it as a key transit hub in global trade. At the same time, substantial hydrocarbon reserves in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan intensify geopolitical competition.

“Competition among major powers in Central Asia is clearly visible, and similar dynamics are unfolding in the South Caucasus,” he noted. “Against this backdrop, it is crucial for regional states to coordinate their strategies and respond collectively to external challenges.”

According to Yolchuyev, economic cooperation must serve as the foundation of any integration process. He called for strengthening economic institutionalization within C6 through joint industrial partnerships and improved coordination between public and private sectors to ensure practical, results-oriented collaboration.

Drawing parallels with European integration, he referenced the early stages of the EU, which began with sector-based cooperation under the European Coal and Steel Community, before gradually expanding into a broader political and economic union.

“A phased approach could also be considered within the C6 framework,” he suggested.

While acknowledging the broader role of the Organization of Turkic States, Yolchuyev noted that political and structural differences among its members may complicate the implementation of certain initiatives. In contrast, he argued, the C6 format unites countries with more comparable economic and political systems, increasing the likelihood of achieving tangible outcomes more rapidly.

He also highlighted the importance of the humanitarian dimension of integration. Establishing direct partnerships between universities, expanding student exchange programs, and increasing reciprocal quotas could create the foundation for long-term strategic integration.

“Stronger connections among young people would support the gradual development of a more integrated regional labor market,” he added.

Looking ahead, Yolchuyev pointed to logistics and energy as the two most strategic sectors for cooperation. In particular, he underscored the importance of the Middle Corridor as the principal East–West transport route linking the region. By offering a competitive alternative to northern and southern trade routes, it enhances the geo-economic significance of the C6 space.

He identified digitalization, simplification of customs procedures, reduction of transit times, and coordination of tariff policies as key priorities in the logistics sector. Ongoing modernization of railway and port infrastructure toward Georgia and Türkiye, along with electrification and expanded transport capacity, is already strengthening the region’s transit potential.

In the energy domain, Yolchuyev drew attention to the Green Corridor initiative launched by Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, which aims to export Central Asia’s renewable energy resources to European markets.

“If successfully implemented, the Green Corridor project could significantly reshape the region’s energy architecture and deepen strategic cooperation within the C6 framework,” he stated.

In conclusion, Yolchuyev emphasized that logistics and energy projects should be viewed not merely as economic initiatives but as strategic instruments of geopolitical integration capable of redefining the region’s role within the broader Eurasian order.