Turkish leader voices readiness to double trade turnover with Azerbaijan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that Türkiye will make every effort to increase trade turnover with Azerbaijan to $15 billion.

President Erdogan made these remarks at a joint press conference with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Ankara on February 19, Azertac reports.

The Turkish president noted that trade turnover between Türkiye and Azerbaijan reached $7.5 billion as of 2023.

“We are determined to make additional efforts to bring this figure to $15 billion,” President Erdogan added.

The Turkish leader emphasised the importance of interaction between the two countries in the transport and energy sectors.

“Amid significant challenges, it is very important for our countries to develop potential in the transport and energy sectors. The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway can be cited as an example. It is important to fully use the advantages of this railway, for which it is necessary to complete its modernisation as soon as possible,” President Erdogan said.

The Turkish leader also drew attention to the Kars-Nakhchivan railway project, reminding that he discussed this issue with President Aliyev during his visit to Nakhchivan in September 2023, and a corresponding Memorandum of Intent was signed.

“During the visit to Nakhchivan, we also discussed the Igdir-Nakhchivan gas pipeline, which will bring our cooperation in the energy sector to a new level,” President Erdogan noted.

The Turkish president said that expansion of the capabilities of the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) is a priority.