BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 22. The 12th meeting
of the joint intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation
between Azerbaijan and Türkiye was held in Baku today, the Cabinet
of Ministers said in a statement, Trend reports.
Prior to the meeting, Azerbaijan’s Prime Minister Ali Asadov and
Türkiye’s Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz held a one-on-one
meeting.
Afterwards, the 12th meeting of the commission was held,
co-chaired by Asadov and Yilmaz, with the participation of the
heads of relevant state institutions of both countries.
During the meeting, it was highlighted that Azerbaijan and
Türkiye share a profound cultural and historical bond that is based
on friendship and fraternity.
The meeting noted that the historic Shusha Declaration, signed
on June 15, 2021, by Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Recep Tayyip
Erdoğan, elevated bilateral relations to the top level of
alliance.
Besides, the meeting mentioned that the personal relationship
and close contacts between the heads of state are the main factors
ensuring the consistent development of the strategic
partnership.
The sides spotlighted the fact that this year, seven mutual
visits between the presidents have taken place.
The meeting highlighted that during President Ilham Aliyev’s
most recent visit to Türkiye on June 19, the opening ceremony of
the “Azerbaijan” neighborhood was held in Kahramanmaraş, and that
President Erdoğan participated in the military parade in Baku on
November 8 dedicated to the 5th anniversary of Victory in the
Second Karabakh War. The sides described these events as evidence
of the high level of political dialogue.
The meeting expressed satisfaction with the traditional close
cooperation and mutual support between Azerbaijan and Türkiye
within the framework of international organizations.
The sides underlined that the Organization of Turkic States
(OTS) is of special importance for both countries and noted that
Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan are carrying out
determined efforts to strengthen unity in the Turkic world and
increase the organization’s international standing.
The meeting recalled that the 12th Summit of the OTS was held in
Azerbaijan's Gabala in October and that the chairmanship passed to
the country, as well as expressed confidence that during
Azerbaijan’s chairmanship, the organization will continue its
development and further enhance its influence.
The sides pointed out that this year a new format was created
within the organization—the meeting of heads of government/vice
presidents—and noted that after the first meeting held in
Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan will host the next meeting in 2026.
Touching upon bilateral relations in the economic and trade
sphere, the meeting noted that Türkiye is one of Azerbaijan’s main
trading partners. The sides stated that the existing economic
potential and geographic advantages of both countries demonstrate
real opportunities to increase trade turnover.
The meeting emphasized the importance of analyzing the results
of the Preferential Trade Agreement and expanding its scope.
The sides expressed satisfaction with the current level of
cooperation in the investment sphere.
The meeting stated that the mega energy projects jointly
implemented by Azerbaijan and Türkiye are of great regional and
global significance.
Highlighting the strategic importance of the Southern Gas
Corridor, the meeting noted that the number of countries to which
Azerbaijan exports gas has recently reached 14, including 10
European countries.
The sides also emphasized that joint efforts have already
enabled the start of gas transportation to Syria and noted that for
the first time Azerbaijani gas is reaching the Middle East region
via Türkiye.
The meeting drew attention to the fact that the Igdir–Nakhchivan
Natural Gas Pipeline, put into operation in March of the current
year, has strengthened the energy security of the Nakhchivan
Autonomous Region.
The meeting reported that mutually beneficial cooperation has
also been established in the field of electricity and noted that
active work is currently underway on the Nakhchivan–Türkiye energy
hub project. The sides emphasized that exporting green energy to
Türkiye and Europe by utilizing Nakhchivan’s renewable energy
potential is among the key goals.
Among the meeting's top priorities for Azerbaijan and Türkiye's
cooperation was the transportation industry. Transportation of
goods between the two nations via road and rail was a hot topic of
discussion between the two parties.
It was highlighted at the meeting that Azerbaijan's investments
improved the carrying capacity of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, a
crucial link in the Middle Corridor, from one million tons to five
million tons last year.
Asadov stressed the importance of intensifying efforts to
attract additional cargo flows to the BTK railway.
The sides announced the strategic importance of the Middle
Corridor development for both countries.
Meeting participants emphasized the importance of the Washington
accords aimed at bridging the gap between the Nakhchivan Autonomous
Region and the rest of Azerbaijan.
All parties involved have stressed that the Zangezur corridor, with
its initial cargo capacity of 15 million tons, will take center
stage as the Middle Corridor's primary route.
As part of the Zangezur corridor, the gathering emphasized the
significance of the August foundation-laying for the
Kars-Igdir-Aralik-Dilucu railway line.
The meeting said that Azerbaijan and Türkiye also attach great
importance to humanitarian relations, with special attention given
to cooperation in education.
The sides described the Türkiye–Azerbaijan University, which
began operating in the 2024–2025 academic year, as a clear example
of successful cooperation in education.
The meeting expressed satisfaction with the opening of a new
branch of the Turkish Anatolian Lyceum in Baku in September and
noted that an Azerbaijani school will be established in Istanbul
starting from the next academic year.
The sides praised the results of cooperation in vocational
education and expressed hope that Türkiye’s experience in this
field will be beneficial for Azerbaijan.
Environmental protection and the fight against climate change
were also topics of discussion at the gathering.
Asadov congratulated Yılmaz on Türkiye being selected as the
host of COP31 and noted that Azerbaijan is ready to provide
comprehensive support to its brotherly country during the
preparation process.
During the meeting, the sides heard reports by members of both
delegations on issues on the agenda.
At the end of the meeting, Asadov and Yılmaz signed the Protocol
of the 12th meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on
Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Türkiye and approved a
110-point Action Plan covering key areas of bilateral
cooperation.
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