11 March 2025 12:19

On 11 March 2025, within the framework of his official visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ceyhun Bayramov, met with the Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Murat Nurtleu.

The one-on-one meeting between the ministers was followed by an expanded meeting with the participation of delegations from both sides. During the expanded meeting, the existing strategic partnership relations between the two countries, prospects for bilateral and multilateral cooperation, as well as regional and international developments were discussed.

The sides expressed satisfaction with the level of Azerbaijan–Kazakhstan strategic partnership relations, emphasizing that high-level contacts and visits between the two countries contribute to the development of cooperation. It was noted that the President of Azerbaijan visited Kazakhstan twice last year, while the President of Kazakhstan visited Azerbaijan three times, demonstrating the high level of relations between the two countries.

Prospects for cooperation in various fields, including political, economic, trade, transport, communications, humanitarian and other areas, were discussed. Minister Ceyhun Bayramov noted that strengthening relations with brotherly countries, including Central Asian states and Kazakhstan, in all spheres is among the key priorities of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy.

The importance of enhancing cooperation within regional and international organizations, including the United Nations, the Organization of Turkic States, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, was highlighted. The sides also exchanged views on identifying new areas of partnership of mutual interest.

In particular, it was noted that cooperation within the Organization of Turkic States—through initiatives across various sectors, high-level meetings, adoption of important decisions, and efforts to strengthen the organization’s international standing and institutionalization—is commendable.

Referring to international platforms, it was emphasized that Kazakhstan’s high-level participation in COP29, hosted successfully by Azerbaijan in November last year, its active engagement in the event, and its support for Azerbaijan’s initiatives were highly appreciated.

Regarding transport and communications, confidence was expressed that expanding cooperation within the framework of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route—an integral component of the “Middle Corridor”—as well as the planned “fiber-optic cable line along the bottom of the Caspian Sea” between Baku and Aktau, a key part of the “Digital Silk Road” project, will further enhance the dynamic nature of Azerbaijan–Kazakhstan cooperation.

The Kazakh side was also informed about the current situation in the region in the post-conflict period, large-scale reconstruction and restoration efforts in the liberated territories, demining activities, and the current status of the Azerbaijan–Armenia normalization process.

Gratitude was expressed for the construction by the Government of Kazakhstan of the Kurmangazy Children’s Creativity Center in the liberated city of Fuzuli.

Kazakhstan’s continued support for the peace process was highly appreciated. It was noted that despite progress achieved in bilateral negotiations on the draft peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the continuation of territorial claims against Azerbaijan in Armenia’s constitution and a number of legislative acts, as well as Armenia’s position on maintaining the Minsk Group, remain fundamental issues.

During the meeting, the sides also exchanged views on other matters of mutual interest.

At the end of the meeting, the ministers signed the Action Plan between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs for 2025–2026.

Following the meeting, the ministers delivered statements at a joint press conference on the outcomes of the talks.