Azerbaijani, Turkish FMs explore regional challenges, strengthening ties in strategic talks PHOTO

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov held high-level talks with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan to discuss strengthening of bilateral relations between the two countries.

According to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, the discussions began with a one-on-one meeting between the two ministers, followed by an expanded session with delegations from both sides, Caliber.Az reports.

The talks covered a broad range of bilateral and multilateral issues, with a particular focus on the emerging challenges in the region amidst recent developments, 

Both ministers emphasized the robust and multi-dimensional nature of the Azerbaijan-Türkiye relationship, which has evolved into a strategic alliance under the leadership of Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Bayramov and Fidan noted the positive dynamics in political, trade, economic, energy, transport and communication, humanitarian, security, and defence cooperation between the two countries. They also highlighted the success of multilateral formats involving Azerbaijan and Türkiye, such as Azerbaijan- Türkiye-Georgia, Azerbaijan-Türkiye-Pakistan, Azerbaijan-Türkiye-Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan-Türkiye-Georgia-Kazakhstan.

The FMs reaffirmed the strength of their partnership within international and regional organizations, including the United Nations (UN), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the Organization of Turkic States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and D-8.

The meeting underscored the exemplary trade-economic and investment relations between Azerbaijan and Türkiye, with key energy and transport projects such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline, the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, and the Southern Gas Corridor playing a pivotal role in their economic collaboration.

Both ministers praised the growing volume of mutual trade and investments, as well as the active involvement of Turkish companies in large-scale reconstruction projects in the territories of Azerbaijan liberated from occupation. They further discussed opportunities to deepen their economic partnership, with an emphasis on areas such as transport, communications, production, green energy transit and export, and expanding cooperation in humanitarian fields such as tourism, healthcare, education, science, and culture.

Bayramov updated his Turkish counterpart on the progress of peace negotiations with Armenia, highlighting the challenges posed by Armenia's territorial claims in its constitution, the prevalence of revanchist sentiments among both government and opposition factions, and the rapid militarization of the country, all of which have hindered the advancement of the peace process.

The ministers also addressed the recent developments in Syria, with Bayramov acknowledging Türkiye's positive role in the region. Both sides discussed the possibility of joint Azerbaijani-Turkish participation in Syria's reconstruction efforts, further solidifying their strategic partnership.

By Vafa Guliyeva