POLITICS
Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan sign Ankara Declaration
29.01.2025 [19:47]
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Baku, January 29, AZERTAC
During his working visit to Türkiye, Jeyhun Bayramov, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended and addressed the 2nd trilateral meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Economy/Trade, and Transport of Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan.
Mikayil Jabbarov, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy, and Rashad Nabiyev, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Digital Development and Transport, also participated in the meeting. The ministers discussed key issues on the agenda, including foreign policy and regional cooperation, increasing collaboration in trade, economic, and investment domains, and enhancing cooperation in the transport and communication sectors through the development of regional transportation networks.
In his speech, Minister Bayramov emphasized the importance of preserving and developing the trilateral cooperation among these countries, which serves as an example in the current fragmented system of international relations. He also highlighted the necessity of complementing other regional cooperation formats, maximizing cooperative potential, and taking joint measures to address common threats.
Bayramov pointed out the significance of strategically important projects linking the Caspian Sea, Black Sea, and Mediterranean Sea regions, where these three countries are located, as well as initiatives like the "Digital Silk Road" and "green energy export," which further enhance the value of trilateral cooperation.
The minister also stressed the importance of continued mutual support between the three nations and sharing common views in several regional and international organizations, including the United Nations (UN), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Developing Eight (D-8) Organization for Economic Cooperation, and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA).
Bayramov expressed gratitude to Türkiye and Uzbekistan for their support of Azerbaijan’s initiatives during the country’s hosting of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. He also emphasized that the advancement of Azerbaijan’s CICA chairmanship priorities, particularly in connectivity, sustainable development, transport, and education, aligns with the Azerbaijan-Türkiye-Uzbekistan trilateral cooperation agenda.
Bayramov provided an update on the Azerbaijani-Armenian normalization process and current challenges, stressing the importance of rebuilding transport infrastructure in Azerbaijani lands that were isolated for nearly 30 years due to the previous occupation. He particularly highlighted the expansion of transport opportunities along the Middle Corridor and appreciated the support from Türkiye and Uzbekistan in reconstruction efforts.
The Azerbaijani minister also noted that ensuring regional peace, security, and development is the cornerstone of the common vision. He emphasized initiatives in socio-economic support for Afghanistan and the development of the Trans-Afghan Railway project. Bayramov underscored the importance of the ceasefire in the Middle East, especially in the Gaza Strip, and the need for a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on the "two-state solution" in accordance with international law. He also mentioned the joint efforts with Türkiye to support Syria’s reconstruction following the collapse of the Assad regime.
Following the speeches, the Ankara Declaration, the outcome document of the 2nd trilateral meeting, was adopted and signed.
The declaration reaffirmed the commitment to enhancing cooperation on regional and international issues of mutual interest, supporting joint actions to preserve sovereignty and territorial integrity. It stressed the need to fully unlock potential in key areas such as the economy, trade, investment, logistics, infrastructure, digitization, environment, and climate change, while improving the efficiency and competitiveness of the Middle Corridor.
The declaration also highlighted the importance of supporting Azerbaijan’s reconstruction and demining efforts in the liberated regions of Garabagh and East Zangezur.
Additionally, the Ankara Declaration recognized Azerbaijan’s leadership roles in COP29 and CICA. It called for a unified approach within the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) regarding the security and development of Afghanistan, considered vital for stability in Central Asia, welcomed the ceasefire in Gaza, and advocated for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The ministers later made press statements regarding the outcomes of the meeting.
