During his working visit to Ankara Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov took part at the trilateral meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Türkiye, and Turkmenistan on 23 February 2021.

A trilateral joint statement was signed as a result of the meeting.

Joint Statement

Fifth Trilateral Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye,

Republic of Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan

At the invitation of H.E. Mr. Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, and with participation of H.E. Mr. Jeyhun Bayramov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and H.E. Mr. Rashid Meredov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan (hereinafter referred to as the “Parties”) the Fifth Trilateral Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs was held on 23 February 2021 in Ankara, the Republic of Türkiye.

The Parties,

Affirmed their adherence to the joint statements adopted in the Trilateral Meetings of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs on 26 May 2014 in Baku, on 29 January 2015 in Ashgabat, on 28 August 2015 in Antalya, and on 19 July 2017 in Baku.

Reaffirmed their mutual respect and firm support for sovereignty and territorial integrity of the States of the Parties within their internationally recognized borders.

Underlined their vision to create an inclusive space of peace, stability and shared prosperity and recognized the importance of using the Turkmenistan-Türkiye-Azerbaijan trilateral mechanism to enhance the prospects of multilateral cooperation.

Noted the importance of continued cooperation among the Republic of Türkiye, Republic of Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan within the United Nations, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Turkic Council, Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), International Organization of Turkic Culture (TÜRKSOY) and other relevant regional and international organizations as well as fora, such as Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process.

Underlined the importance of further strengthening of cooperation in the fight against terrorism, separatism, extremism and discrimination in all their forms and manifestations, transnational organized crime and illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and their precursors, arms and trafficking in persons, crimes against cultural and historical heritage, cybercrimes and irregular migration.

In this context, noted the importance of Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s decision to mark March 15 as “International Solidarity Day Against Islamophobia” and agreed on supporting all international efforts on this issue.

Underlined the utmost importance of the forthcoming Trilateral Summit of the Heads of States in Turkmenistan.

Noted the importance of strengthening trilateral economic cooperation, as well as the legal basis for economic partnership among the States of the Parties.

Agreed to support the further development of cooperation through strengthening of the trade-economic cooperation, using existing potential for promotion of investment and trade as well as carrying out joint projects and programmes in the field of customs, energy, transport, telecommunications, industry, agriculture, science, education, culture, tourism, and environment.

Noted the importance of continuation of the existing cooperation between small and medium sized enterprises of all three countries.

Resolved to continue and enhance their solidarity in tackling the Covid-19 pandemic including in supply of the coronavirus vaccine through mutual medical assistance within their means and capabilities,

Affirmed their commitment to cooperation and coordination in containing the Covid-19 pandemic and in managing its implications on social and economic activities with a view to mitigating its adverse effects on particularly international travel, trade and transportation,

Underscored the necessity of further strengthening the cooperation for realization of new projects on development of transport infrastructure and increasing the transit potential.

Underlined the significant efforts made to strengthen the transit potential of their countries, including the “East-West” Trans Caspian Transport Corridor and emphasized in this regard the importance of the effective operation of maritime transport between the ports of Turkmenbashi (Turkmenistan) and Alat (Azerbaijan).

Stressed the key role of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) Railway project as a part of the Modern Silk Road in facilitating competitive transportation between Asia and Europe and welcomed the preparations for the passenger transportation via the BTK Railway.

Welcomed the entry into force of the Lapis Lazuli Transit and Transport Cooperation Agreement, which aims at developing trade relations by simplifying transportation and traffic in transit and constitutes a new dimension for the regional connectivity.

Expressed the need to upgrade the existing infrastructure and to establish favourable conditions for development of regional transport and trade.

Taking into account the contribution of infrastructure projects to the prosperity and stability of the Caspian Region, emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation to ensure regional connectivity in transport and energy.

Underlined the significance of partnership between the three countries in the sphere of energy and reaffirmed their support for energy projects aimed at the delivery of natural gas from Azerbaijan in increased volumes and of energy sources from Turkmenistan to Türkiye and the rest of Europe.

Welcomed the signing of the Memorandum between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan for joint exploration and development of the hydrocarbon field named as “Dostluk” in the Caspian Sea. In this regard, expressed their readiness to conclude joint projects for the development and delivery of hydrocarbon resources to enhance the energy security of Türkiye and the rest of Europe, as well as to contribute to the economic development and prosperity of Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan.

Emphasized the necessity to develop further cooperation in education, science, culture and other humanitarian fields based on common heritage of three countries.

Underscored the importance of holding regular trilateral meetings with a view to continuing cooperation and coordination on political dialogue, regional and global issues.

Agreed to hold the next meeting in Turkmenistan. The date of the meeting will be agreed through diplomatic channels.