The foreign ministers of Turkey, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan issued a joint statement in which they stressed the importance of having a vision to create a comprehensive peace, stability, and a common prosperity area between their countries, and the need to use a tripartite mechanism to enhance the possibilities and opportunities for multilateral cooperation.
This came in a declaration signed by the foreign ministers of the three countries, Turkish Mevlut Cavusoglu, Azerbaijani Ceyhun Bayramov and Turkmenistan Rashid Meridovt, on Tuesday, after their fifth meeting of its kind, which was held in the Turkish capital, Ankara.
The parties reaffirmed their commitment to the joint declarations adopted at similar tripartite meetings that were held on 26 May 2014 in Baku, 29 January 2015 in Ashgabat, 28 August 2015 in Antalya, and 19 July 2017 in Baku.
The declaration reaffirmed the mutual respect and strong support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the states parties within their internationally recognized borders.
The declaration also noted the importance of the existing cooperation forums between Turkey, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan such as the “Heart of Asia – Istanbul Process”, as well as cooperation with the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Turkish Council, and the Organization Economic Cooperation, Turkish International Culture Organization (Turksoy), and other relevant regional and international organizations.
The aforementioned parties also expressed their commitment to continue strengthening cooperation in combating terrorism, racism, extremism, and all forms and manifestations of transnational organized crime, narcotic substances, weapons, human trafficking, cultural and historical crimes, electronic and irregular migration.
In this context, reference was made to the importance of declaring the Organization of Islamic Cooperation on March 15 as an “International Day of Solidarity against Islamophobia”, and it was agreed to support all international efforts in this regard.
On the other hand, the declaration emphasized that the tripartite presidential summit between the three countries, which will be held in Turkmenistan, is very important.
The importance of economic cooperation
The declaration referred to the importance of strengthening tripartite economic cooperation as well as the legal basis for economic partnership between the concerned countries.
The parties agreed on the need to enhance and develop trade and economic cooperation, and to use the current capabilities to encourage investment and trade, as well as cooperation through the implementation of joint projects and programs in the fields of customs, energy, transportation, telecommunications, industry, agriculture, science, education, culture, tourism, and the environment.
The joint declaration also drew attention to the importance of preserving the existing cooperation between small and medium-sized companies in the three countries, noting that the foreign ministers also decided to continue their countries’ solidarity in combating the new Corona epidemic (Covid-19), including securing vaccines, through medical assistance. Mutual limits of their capabilities and capabilities.
In a related context, the parties affirmed their commitment to cooperation and coordination in addressing the outbreak of Corona, and managing its repercussions on social and economic activities, with the aim of reducing its negative effects on international travel, trade and transport.
The declaration also stressed the need for further strengthening of cooperation in order to realize new projects aimed at developing transport infrastructure and increasing transit potential.
Importance of transport and infrastructure projects:
The parties also stressed the importance of efforts exerted to enhance the potential of transit transport between those countries, including the Trans-Caspian Sea Transport Corridor from “East and West”, stressing the importance of effective operation of sea transport between the ports of Turkmenbashi (Turkmenistan) and machines (Azerbaijan).
In addition, the parties confirmed that the railway project (Baku – Tbilisi – Kars), as part of the modern Silk Road, played a major role in facilitating the competitive transportation between Asia and Europe and welcomed the preparations for passenger transport across that line.
On the other hand, the aforementioned parties welcomed the start of the implementation of the “Lapis-Lazuli Transit Corridor” agreement, which aims to improve trade relations by facilitating transportation and transit traffic, and creating a new dimension of regional communication.
The declaration, which emphasized the need to improve the existing infrastructure and create appropriate conditions for the development of regional transport and trade, also stressed the importance of developing cooperation to ensure regional connectivity in transport and energy, taking into account the contribution of infrastructure projects to the prosperity and stability of the Caspian region.
Energy Partnership:
Concerned parties also stressed in their joint declaration the importance of partnership in the energy sector, renewing their support for energy projects that aim to deliver natural gas in larger volumes from Azerbaijan, as well as Turkmenistan’s energy resources to Turkey and the rest of Europe.
The parties welcomed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan on joint energy exploration between the two countries and the development of hydrocarbon resources.
In a related context, the parties stressed their readiness to complete the implementation of joint projects to enhance and deliver hydrocarbon resources to contribute to enhancing the economic development of Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan and its prosperity, and enhancing energy security for Turkey and the rest of Europe.
The parties stressed the need for more cooperation in the fields of education, science, culture and other humanitarian aid on the basis of the common heritage of the three countries.
The declaration emphasized the organization of periodic tripartite meetings in order to maintain political dialogue, cooperation and coordination on regional and global issues, and it was decided to hold the next meeting in Turkmenistan.
