BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 29. The second trilateral meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Trade/Economics, and Transportation of Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan was held in Ankara, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani MFA.
“Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov participated and addressed the meeting.
Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mikayil Jabbarov and Minister of Digital Development and Transportation Rashad Nabiyev also took part in the meeting. The ministers made reports on the topics on the agenda, including foreign policy and regional cooperation, strengthening cooperation in trade, economy, and investment, development of regional transportation networks, and strengthening cooperation in transport and communication sectors.
Jeyhun Bayramov in his speech noted that the preservation and development of the existing trilateral format between our countries is an example in the current crumbling system of international relations and emphasized the importance of this format to complement other regional cooperation formats, maximize the potential of cooperation, and take joint measures to counter common threats.
Meanwhile, it was noted that some strategically important projects linking the Caspian, Black, and Mediterranean Sea regions where the three countries are located, including initiatives such as the Digital Silk Road and Green Energy Exports, increase the importance of trilateral cooperation.
Moreover, it was conveyed that mutual support and coordinated position should be continued between Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan within several regional and international organizations, including the UN, OSCE, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Economic Cooperation Organization (D-8), and Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA).
It was expressed gratitude for the support in holding the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), as well as for active participation in the initiative proposals of Azerbaijan in the global and regional contexts.
Also, it was noted that the promotion of priorities in the spheres of communication, digitalization, sustainable development, transport, and education, corresponding to the agenda of Azerbaijan's chairmanship in CICA, among others, coincides with the agenda of trilateral cooperation.
Bayramov also detailed the current situation in the region in the post-conflict period, large-scale reconstruction and construction works carried out in the territories liberated from occupation, efforts to combat the mine threat, progress in the normalization process of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and current challenges. The construction of transport infrastructure in Azerbaijani lands isolated from other territories as a result of occupation for almost 30 years was emphasized, especially in terms of expansion of transport opportunities along the Middle Corridor, and the support provided by brotherly Türkiye and Uzbekistan in reconstruction works was appreciated.
Furthermore, it was noted that ensuring regional peace, security, and development in a broad sense was at the core of the shared vision, focusing on socio-economic support initiatives aimed at Afghanistan, as well as the development of the Trans-Afghanistan Rail Link project. The importance of the ceasefire achieved in the Middle East, especially in the Gaza Strip, and its observance was emphasized, as well as the importance of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on international law. It was also noted that after the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, Türkiye's joint support for the reconstruction efforts in that country has become another important aspect of regional cooperation.
Following the meeting, the Ankara Declaration was adopted and signed.
The declaration expresses the development of cooperation on regional and international issues of mutual interest, as well as support for joint actions against steps taken against sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The importance of full implementation of the existing potential in the areas of economy, trade, investment, logistics, infrastructure, digitalization, environment, and combating climate change, increasing the efficiency and competitiveness of cooperation in this direction within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States, especially the Middle Corridor, was noted.
The declaration also underlines the importance of Azerbaijan's contribution to reconstruction and humanitarian demining in the Karabakh and East Zangezur economic regions.
The Ankara Declaration also highly praised Azerbaijan's role within the framework of the chairmanships of COP29 and CICA.
The importance of forming a joint position within the Organization of Turkic States on the security and development of Afghanistan, which plays an important role in the security of Central Asia, preserving the ceasefire achieved in the Gaza Strip, and the settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on the two-state principle was noted.
Afterward, the ministers made press statements on the outcome of the meeting.
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