Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan Speaks at Joint Press Conference Following Turkey-Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Trilateral Meeting
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan addressed the media during a joint press conference held as part of the Turkey-Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Trilateral Meeting. Minister Fidan announced the signing of the Ankara Declaration, stating, “The most reliable and fastest economic route between Asia and Europe is the Central Asia-Caspian Sea-South Caucasus and Turkey corridor.”
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The second trilateral mechanism meeting between Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan concluded with the announcement of the joint Ankara Declaration. The declaration was issued following the Trilateral Meeting of Foreign, Trade, Economy, and Transport Ministers of Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan, held at the JW Marriott Ankara Hotel. The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bahtiyar Saidov, and Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov.
The declaration emphasized the “strong strategic partnership” among Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan, which is based on “mutual respect,” “trust,” “common interests,” and “historical cultural ties.” It reaffirmed the countries’ unwavering support for each other’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and inviolability of borders, while also highlighting their commitment to the principles and norms of the United Nations (UN) Charter and international law.
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The declaration acknowledged the increasing importance of developing and promoting joint projects in trade, investment, industry, energy, transport, logistics, digitalization, and communication. It also welcomed the outcomes of the first meeting held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on August 2, 2022, which contributed to deepening relations in these areas.
The importance of the Middle Corridor, which passes through the territories of the three countries, was reiterated in the declaration. The corridor plays a significant role in enhancing the transit potential of Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan. The declaration also stressed the need to strengthen the Europe-Caucasus-Asia Transport Corridor (TRACECA) and to evaluate ways to increase its efficiency and effectiveness.
The declaration highlighted the importance of enhancing the existing cooperation among the three countries to maximize the benefits of international transport corridors, including TRACECA. It noted that the current trilateral cooperation format aims to strengthen common goals and solidify mutually beneficial relations.
Support for Advancing Connectivity Projects
The declaration reiterated the commitment to increasing cooperation on regional and international issues of common interest and priority. It emphasized support for joint actions against any initiatives that undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. The three countries reaffirmed their respect for each other’s territorial integrity and expressed their determination to continue joint efforts to fully realize the potential of cooperation in economy, trade, investment, and transit transportation.
Emphasis on Increasing the Capacity of the Middle Corridor
The declaration underscored the critical role of this cooperation in promoting regional prosperity. It highlighted the shared commitment to developing transport infrastructure, promoting digitalization, and facilitating trade flows along the Middle Corridor, in harmony with other relevant regional transport initiatives.
The declaration also emphasized the importance of developing new infrastructure projects, particularly in “transport,” “border crossings,” and “digitalization of customs procedures,” to enhance the capacity and competitiveness of the Middle Corridor. It expressed full support for advancing connectivity projects such as the Baku International Sea Trade Port and the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway.
The declaration confirmed confidence in the Union of Logistics Centers and Cargo Carriers, established in June 2024, to enhance cooperation among major logistics hubs, carriers, and stations. It noted that this union contributes to the development of transport infrastructure, attracts investment through public-private partnerships, and provides solutions for fast, regular, and cost-effective freight transportation.
The declaration also mentioned the establishment of the Transport Associations Presidents Meeting Mechanism under the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in March 2024, aimed at enhancing the transport capacity and practical cooperation among Turkic states.
Contribution to Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Efforts in Karabakh and East Zangezur
The parties expressed their satisfaction with the work initiated at the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) regarding the implementation of the eCMR system for the digitalization of transport documents among OTS member states. They welcomed the implementation of the e-Permit system, which is being tested between Turkey-Azerbaijan and Turkey-Uzbekistan, to eliminate challenges arising from the loss or misuse of paper permits.
The parties also expressed their readiness to provide necessary assistance to facilitate the transportation of Uzbekistan’s cargo via the Middle Corridor. They agreed to cooperate on the development of regional transport, communication, and infrastructure, and to exchange experiences in the design, construction, and operation of railways, highways, logistics centers, and airports.
Investment in Karabakh and East Zangezur
The parties reiterated the importance of contributing to Azerbaijan’s reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts, including humanitarian mine clearance, in the liberated Karabakh and East Zangezur regions. They emphasized the need to invest in infrastructure, modern public services, and smart city solutions to facilitate the safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons.
In this regard, the parties expressed their interest in realizing investment projects in Azerbaijan’s Karabakh and East Zangezur economic zones. They also confirmed their satisfaction with the ongoing connectivity cooperation under the OTS framework and welcomed the signing and implementation of four documents that provide a solid legal framework for multilateral cooperation.
Agreements Under the OTS Framework
The parties expressed their satisfaction with the signing of the “Agreement on the Establishment of a Simplified Customs Corridor Among the Governments of the OTS Member States,” the “OTS Trade Facilitation Strategy Document,” and the “OTS Digital Economy Partnership Agreement.” They emphasized the contribution of the existing Joint Economic Commission mechanisms to enhancing cooperation in various fields, particularly in trade and economic relations.
The parties also highlighted their belief that the full operationalization of the Turkic Investment Fund, established by the OTS on May 18, 2024, will significantly boost trade, infrastructure, and development projects in areas of mutual interest such as industrial production, transport, agriculture, digital technologies, and tourism.
Enhancing Economic, Trade, and Investment Relations
The declaration expressed determination to take necessary steps to strengthen cooperation in construction, tendering, and related areas, emphasizing the importance of trade, industry, and economic relations. It also highlighted the readiness to promote mutual investment among private sectors, expand direct communication between businesspeople, trade and industry chambers, and business associations, and explore broader import and export opportunities.
The declaration underscored the importance of strengthening links between supply chain stakeholders and business representatives, improving inter-institutional coordination, and facilitating foreign trade operations within a broader connectivity framework. It also emphasized the importance of taking steps to accelerate trade, in line with the OTS Trade Facilitation Strategic Document adopted at the 9th OTS Summit in Samarkand on November 11, 2022, and welcomed the OTS Trade Facilitation Committee’s 2025 Action Plan.
Importance of Cooperation in Industry, Agriculture, Innovation, and Digitalization
The declaration emphasized the commitment to deepening practical cooperation in industry, innovation, digital development, digital trade, and the digitalization of customs procedures. It also highlighted the importance of strengthening technical cooperation in food security, agriculture, food processing, and related research and development activities, noting the need for sustainable and resilient agricultural value chains.
The declaration expressed determination to explore broader cooperation opportunities in renewable energy, particularly to strengthen regional energy security. It also acknowledged the importance of sharing knowledge and experience in environmental protection, climate change, and urbanization, particularly through initiatives such as Zero Waste, reforestation, and the implementation of the UN General Assembly’s special decision declaring the Aral Sea region as a zone of ecological innovation and technology.
The declaration also noted the need for environmental restoration, including mine clearance and sustainable reconstruction, particularly in Azerbaijan’s Karabakh and East Zangezur regions.
Support for COP29 to be Held in Azerbaijan
The declaration welcomed Azerbaijan’s hosting of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) and expressed strong support for Azerbaijan’s presidency of the conference. It noted the alignment with the comprehensive initiatives of COP29’s Action Agenda, aimed at harmonizing climate efforts with sustainable development. The signing of declarations to establish the OTS Climate, Innovation, Green Economy, and Trade Partnership and the OTS Climate-Resilient Villages Forum was also welcomed, along with the appreciation for the regional legacy built under the OTS framework for COP29.
The declaration also welcomed Azerbaijan’s assumption of the chairmanship of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) under the theme “Stronger CICA, Connectivity, Digitalization, and Sustainable Growth in Asia.” It expressed readiness to contribute to the implementation of the chairmanship’s priorities, including initiatives of common interest.
Importance of the Trans-Afghan Railway Project
The declaration highlighted the importance of lasting peace, stability, prosperity, security, and socio-economic development in Afghanistan for ensuring security in Central Asia and facilitating uninterrupted humanitarian aid to the Afghan people by the international community. It expressed confidence that the outcomes of the OTS Afghanistan Working Group, established in line with the declaration of the 11th OTS Summit of Heads of State held in Bishkek on November 6, 2024, will contribute to the preparation of a common approach among OTS member states on Afghanistan.
The declaration also emphasized the importance of the Trans-Afghan Railway Project, which will strengthen interregional transport and economic connectivity, increase trade flows, and create new opportunities for economic relations between regions.
Call for a Two-State Solution
The declaration welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire, calling on all parties to strictly adhere to it to end all attacks and violence in Gaza and ensure unimpeded access to humanitarian aid for Palestinians. It called for a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on a two-state solution, with an independent, sovereign, and geographically integral State of Palestine, with its capital in East Jerusalem, based on the 1967 borders.
The declaration also welcomed the UN General Assembly’s draft resolution of May 10, 2024, declaring that the State of Palestine is qualified for UN membership and can therefore be admitted.
Commitment to Global and Regional Stability, Peace, and Prosperity
The declaration emphasized the agreement to act together in pursuit of global and regional stability, peace, and prosperity. It also highlighted the decision to coordinate on issues of common interest in international organizations and multilateral platforms such as the UN and its agencies, OTS, CICA, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO).
The declaration also noted the agreement to provide mutual support for draft decisions, initiatives, and candidacies within international organizations, within the capabilities of each party.
Gratitude to Turkey and Decision to Hold the Next Meeting in Azerbaijan
The Azerbaijani and Uzbek sides expressed their gratitude to the Turkish side for organizing the meeting. It was decided that the 3rd Trilateral Meeting will be held in Azerbaijan at a date agreed upon by the parties.
