Azerbaijan, Türkiye sign protocol on expanding social, labour cooperation PHOTO

The 12th meeting of the Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation in the Field of Labour and Social Protection between the Ministries of Labour and Social Protection of Azerbaijan and Türkiye was held in Ankara.

Prior to the meeting, Azerbaijani Minister of Labour and Social Protection Anar Aliyev met with Turkish Minister of Labour and Social Protection Vedat Işıkhan. The sides exchanged views on the current state of bilateral cooperation in the social sphere and the agenda of the upcoming session, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Azerbaijani Labour Ministry.

At the meeting of the Joint Commission, it was emphasised that relations between the brotherly countries are constantly developing thanks to the efforts of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and that they reached the level of strategic alliance following the signing of the Shusha Declaration in 2021. It was noted that cooperation in the fields of labour, employment, and social protection, as in other areas, is at a high level. The importance of previously signed documents and the work of the Joint Permanent Commission in expanding cooperation in this sphere was underlined.

The session discussed directions for future joint activities. The importance of continuing the mutual exchange of experience and information in areas such as combating informal employment, occupational safety, vocational training, pension provision, and the application of digital services was highlighted. It was also deemed appropriate to update the previously signed Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Social Protection in line with modern requirements, against the backdrop of reforms carried out in both countries in recent years in the fields of labour and social protection, as well as the development of digital services.

Anar Aliyev and Vedat Işıkhan briefed the media on the outcomes of the meeting, noting that directions for future cooperation in areas of mutual interest had been identified.

The ministers then signed the Protocol of the 12th meeting of the Joint Permanent Commission. The Action Plan for 2026–2027, attached to the document, outlines future cooperation between the two ministries during this period in such areas as strengthening employment measures (including for persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups), labour migration, improvement of occupational safety and training infrastructure, combating informal employment, pension provision, social insurance, labour market monitoring and forecasting, the application of digital technologies, and other areas, as well as the exchange of information and experience.

As part of the visit, the Azerbaijani delegation also familiarised itself with the activities of the Turkish Aerospace Industries company.

By Vugar Khalilov