Ankara Declaration Signed Following Trilateral Meeting of Foreign Ministers of Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan
The Ankara Declaration was signed following the second trilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan, held in the Turkish capital. Kazinform provides full details on the outcomes of this trilateral ministerial meeting.
Importance of the Middle Corridor
During the meeting, attended by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, and Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov, the participants emphasized the need to deepen regional cooperation in light of geopolitical uncertainty, particularly within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS).
Turkey’s Foreign Minister noted that disruptions in traditional supply chains between Asia and Europe over the past five years due to global events have made the Middle Corridor - which runs through Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, the Caucasus, and Turkey - the most reliable and cost-effective route for trade between Asia and Europe.
"In this context, the immediate implementation of projects within the Middle Corridor and the full utilization of the connectivity potential between Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan will bring significant benefits not only to these stakeholders but also to the entire Turkic world and neighboring regions," the minister stated.
Key Agreements Between the Three Countries
At the end of the meeting, the Ankara Declaration was signed, and a Joint Action Plan for the upcoming period was adopted. According to the declaration, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan committed to fully unlocking their potential in key areas, including economy, trade, investment, logistics, infrastructure, digitalization, environment, and climate change.
The parties emphasized the need to enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of the Middle Corridor and reaffirmed their support for Azerbaijan’s reconstruction and demining efforts in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur. Additionally, they highlighted the importance of a unified approach within the OTS regarding the security and development of Afghanistan, considering it a key factor for stability in Central Asia.
Trade and Investments
A business forum was also held as part of the trilateral meeting, focusing on trade, investments, infrastructure projects, and the harmonization of standards.
- Turkey-Azerbaijan trade turnover has reached $8 billion, while Turkey-Uzbekistan trade stands at $3.3 billion.
- Over the past 20 years, Turkey's exports to these countries have grown significantly (15-fold to Uzbekistan and 9-fold to Azerbaijan).
- Imports from Azerbaijan to Turkey have increased 40-fold, while imports from Uzbekistan have grown 10-fold.
- Total mutual investments between Turkey and Azerbaijan stand at $37 billion, while investments between Turkey and Uzbekistan amount to $4.4 billion.
"These figures underscore not only growing trade ties but also strategic cooperation in key sectors such as energy, construction, agriculture, information technology, and healthcare," stated Turkey’s Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat.
Zangezur Corridor and Middle Transport Route
Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan are working to optimize logistics to reduce transportation costs and enhance regional competitiveness. Key infrastructure projects discussed include:
- Zangezur Corridor – a strategic route connecting Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan and Turkey.
- Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway – modernization to increase freight capacity.
- Kars-Nakhchivan Railway – a new railway line to accelerate trade.
- Trans-Caspian Route – expanding the Ro-Ro ferry fleet for cargo transport across the Caspian Sea.
According to Turkish experts, these initiatives are all part of the Middle Corridor, an alternative trade route between Europe and Asia. Strengthening this route will help regional countries reduce their reliance on Russia and China for trade, transit, and logistics.
Challenges and Future Prospects
Despite positive progress, challenges remain for further integration between Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan.
The President of TOBB (Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey), Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, highlighted that border tariffs hinder trade growth among these countries. Currently, a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) does not exist between Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan.
"A potential solution is the creation of a unified economic space between the three nations," Hisarcıklıoğlu suggested.
Additionally, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investments, Laziz Kudratov, proposed harmonizing product quality and certification procedures to facilitate smoother trade. There is also insufficient collaboration on joint projects among the three countries.
Halal Industry: A Growth Opportunity for Exports
Another key area of trilateral cooperation is the halal industry, which offers significant export potential, particularly in Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian markets.
Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan are working on mutual recognition of halal standards, which will help establish a unified halal goods market within the Turkic world.
Expanding Trilateral Cooperation
Experts believe that while the three countries have made progress, many initiatives are still in their early stages. The Turkic Investment Fund is expected to play a crucial role in financing and advancing joint projects.
Meanwhile, the trilateral ministerial meetings and the business forum reaffirm that Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan are on the path of active economic integration.
The first meeting in this format took place in August 2022 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. This trilateral platform aims to strengthen economic, transport, and energy ties between the three nations.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
January 30, 2025