Azerbaijan antimonopoly chief: Competition policy key to Turkic economic integration

Competition policy should serve as a central mechanism for regional economic integration among Turkic states, Azerbaijan’s antimonopoly chief Elnur Baghirov said.

Speaking at the 3rd Meeting of Heads of Competition Authorities of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) and the Competition Forum in Shusha, Baghirov said competition rules should both support and drive integration efforts, Caliber.Az reports via local media. 

According to the agency’s head, competition policy must ensure the effective functioning of expanding markets as economic ties deepen among member states.

“Competition policy should act as a development tool supporting integration and, at the same time, as a driving force for this process,” he said.

“If integration expands markets, competition policy should ensure their effective functioning. Deepening economic ties between the Turkic states increases the importance of competition policy,” noted Elnur Baghirov.

He also stressed the need for closer and more regular cooperation between competition authorities across OTS member countries, citing growing complexity in global markets.

Baghirov pointed to the increasing influence of digital platforms and multinational corporations as a key factor requiring updated regulatory approaches.

He said modern economies are increasingly characterised by complex relationships between large enterprises, digital platforms, and transnational corporations, making stronger legal frameworks necessary to protect competition.

“The activities of competition authorities, the exchange of information between these bodies, and market monitoring are particularly important. While transnational corporations offer significant advantages in terms of investment, technology transfer, management expertise, and access to global markets, their activities in domestic markets can pose certain competitive threats to new and local companies. As competition authorities, we should also consider protecting the interests of domestic market participants. In this context, deepening cooperation between the competition authorities of the Organization of Turkic States is essential,” he noted.

By Sabina Mammadli