29 January 2025 14:58

On 29 January 2025, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov participated and delivered a speech at the 2nd trilateral meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Economy/Trade and Transport of Azerbaijan-Türkiye-Uzbekistan within the framework of his working visit to the city of Ankara of the Republic of Türkiye.

At the meeting, Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mikayil Jabbarov and Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev also participated. The ministers delivered speeches on the topics on the agenda, including foreign policy and regional cooperation issues, increasing cooperation in the fields of trade, economy and investment, and strengthening cooperation in the transport and communications sector through the development of regional transport networks.

In his speech, Minister Jeyhun Bayramov noted that maintaining and developing the existing trilateral format between our countries, in addition to having an exemplary character in the current fragmented system of international relations, is important in terms of complementing other regional cooperation formats, maximizing the use of cooperation potential, and taking joint measures in response to common threats.

It was noted that a number of strategically important projects connecting the Caspian, Black Sea and Mediterranean regions in which our countries are located, including initiatives such as the “Digital Silk Road” and “green energy export,” increase the importance of our trilateral cooperation.

It was brought to attention that it is necessary to continue cooperation, mutual support and the practice of acting from a common position within the framework of a number of regional and international organizations, including the United Nations, OSCE, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Economic Cooperation Organization (D-8), and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA).

Gratitude was expressed for the support provided to our hosting and presidency of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), as well as to our activities and the regional and global initiatives put forward.

It was noted that the promotion of priorities in the fields of connectivity, digitalization, sustainable development, transport and education, which are also in line with the agenda of our chairmanship of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), coincides with our trilateral cooperation agenda.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov also provided detailed information on the current situation in the region in the post-conflict period, the large-scale reconstruction and restoration works carried out in the liberated territories, efforts to combat the mine threat, the progress of the Azerbaijan-Armenia normalization process, and existing challenges. The importance of transport infrastructure construction in our lands, which had been isolated from our other territories for nearly 30 years as a result of the former occupation, particularly in terms of expanding transport opportunities along the Middle Corridor, was emphasized, and the support provided by brotherly Türkiye and Uzbekistan in reconstruction works was appreciated.

It was noted that ensuring regional peace, security and development in a broad sense forms the basis of our shared vision, and in this direction, socio-economic support initiatives aimed at Afghanistan and the development of the Trans-Afghan Railway Line project remain in focus. The importance of the ceasefire achieved in the Middle East, particularly in the Gaza region, and its observance, as well as the necessity of resolving the Israel-Palestine conflict on the basis of the “two-state solution” in accordance with the norms of international law, was brought to attention. It was also noted that, following the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria, supporting the country’s recovery efforts together with brotherly Türkiye has become another component of our regional cooperation.

Subsequently, the Ankara Declaration was adopted and signed on the outcomes of the meeting.

The Declaration expressed support for the development of cooperation on regional and international issues of mutual interest, as well as for joint action against steps taken against sovereignty and territorial integrity.

It was noted that full use should be made of the existing potential in the fields of economy, trade, investment, logistics, infrastructure, digitalization, environment and combating climate change, and the importance of cooperation within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States in this direction, particularly increasing the efficiency and competitiveness of the Middle Corridor, was emphasized.

The Declaration also emphasized the importance of contributing to reconstruction and humanitarian demining activities in the Garabagh and East Zangezur economic regions of Azerbaijan.

The Ankara Declaration also appreciated the role played by Azerbaijan within the framework of its COP29 and CICA chairmanships.

It was noted that it is important to form a common position within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States on the security and development of Afghanistan, which plays an important role in the security of Central Asia, to preserve the ceasefire achieved in the Gaza region, and to resolve the Israel-Palestine conflict on the basis of the “two-state solution.”

Subsequently, the ministers delivered statements to the media on the outcomes of the meeting.