Energy official: Azerbaijan's trade with Turkic states surpasses $7 billion

Azerbaijan’s trade turnover with member and observer countries of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) exceeded $7.3 billion last year, Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov announced during the 5th meeting of the Energy Ministers of the OTS, held in Istanbul.

Shahbazov highlighted that the energy sector accounts for 70–80% of the mutual investment portfolio among Turkic states, which exceeds $20 billion. He noted that nearly 53 million tons of Azerbaijani, Kazakh, and Turkmen oil were delivered to global markets via the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline last year and during the first 11 months of 2025, Caliber.Az reports via local media. 

The minister also reported that Türkiye received 18.7 billion cubic meters of gas, while European countries were supplied with 24.6 billion cubic meters through Turkish pipelines. He underscored recent achievements in regional energy cooperation, including the commissioning of the Iğdır–Nakhchivan gas pipeline, TPAO’s participation in the Shafag-Asiman oil project, the delivery of 366 million cubic meters of gas to Syria to date, and the launch of an exploration project in Uzbekistan.

Shahbazov further emphasised that Azerbaijan’s energy strategy—particularly the transmission of renewable energy potential from Azerbaijan, the Caspian Sea, and Central Asia to Turkish and European markets via diversified routes—aligns with the priorities of the “Turkic Green Vision” and the Gabala Declaration. 

Key initiatives highlighted at the meeting include the Trans-Caspian, Azerbaijan–Türkiye–Europe, Azerbaijan–Georgia–Türkiye–Bulgaria, and Caspian–Black Sea–Europe green energy corridors and interconnector projects, which aim to strengthen unity among Turkic states through energy cooperation.

The minister noted that the upcoming Central Asia–Azerbaijan Green Energy Corridor will, for the first time in history, connect the electricity systems of the member countries, while the Zangezur Corridor will ensure the delivery of this energy flow to Türkiye, effectively creating a “Central Asia–Azerbaijan–Türkiye” energy bridge.

He noted that Azerbaijan is carrying out all necessary work on energy projects in line with planned timelines. The minister emphasised that the creation of energy corridors and their interconnection will boost regional energy trade and accelerate global flows of renewable electricity. These initiatives, he noted, enhance the strategic significance of participating countries in supplying Europe with energy resources and contribute to a new geo-economic architecture of energy cooperation across the Eurasian region.

Shahbazov highlighted the ongoing development of energy cooperation with Turkic states through a series of regional initiatives. Since the previous meeting, 15 documents on energy collaboration have been signed, including a strategic intergovernmental agreement between Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan on the development and transmission of green energy; a strategic energy partnership agreement with Kazakhstan; a memorandum of understanding with Türkiye on green electricity transmission and trade; and a roadmap with Kyrgyzstan.

The minister also noted that Azerbaijan’s comprehensive green agenda supports the establishment of a Regional Centre  for Technology and Green Initiatives and will contribute to the successful hosting of COP31 by Türkiye. He added that Azerbaijan fully backs the Centre’s initiatives and Türkiye’s COP31 presidency and is prepared to share its expertise with its regional partners.

By Sabina Mammadli