Turkish VP: "Our goal is to build a strong Türkiye and a strong Azerbaijan"

Promoting trade and economic relations remains the shared vision of building a strong Türkiye and a strong Azerbaijan, Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz emphasised at the II Azerbaijan-Türkiye Investment Forum.

The slogan “One Nation, Two States,” proclaimed by the late leader Heydar Aliyev and embraced as a shared motto, underpins progress in trade, economic cooperation, and beyond, said at the II Azerbaijan-Türkiye Investment Forum, Caliber.Az reports via local media outlets.

Yılmaz emphasised that modern global crises underscore the importance of exchanging knowledge and experience.

“By strengthening our cooperation through the opportunities offered by our unity, we can turn regional challenges into new opportunities. Promoting trade and economic relations to enhance the welfare of our peoples is a task entrusted to us by history and current favorable circumstances. Our duty is to respond to this challenge in the best possible way. Our goal is a strong Türkiye, a strong Azerbaijan, and a prosperous region marked by peace and stability. Political stability is the greatest guarantee for you, esteemed entrepreneurs. The vision set forth by our respected presidents is the strongest will removing obstacles along our path,” he said.

He also noted that the Russia-Ukraine war has increased the attractiveness and opportunities of the Middle Corridor. “In this context, we continue our cooperation with Azerbaijan, which remains a key component of the Middle Corridor,” Yılmaz said.

Highlighting regional developments, Yılmaz pointed to the August 8, 2025, agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which includes a roadmap aimed at establishing peace. “Within this framework, the opening of the Zangezur Corridor will further enhance the competitiveness of the Middle Corridor,” he added.

Addressing the event, Azerbaijan’s Prime Minister Ali Asadov has said that over the past five years, Azerbaijan has expanded its natural gas exports to 14 countries, including 10 in Europe, Prime Minister Ali Asadov said at the II Türkiye-Azerbaijan Joint Investment Forum.

“As the largest foreign investor in our brotherly country, SOCAR has invested $19 billion in Türkiye. Through these investments, the company has implemented numerous strategic projects in oil refining, petrochemicals, and natural gas,” Asadov noted.

He added that in 2026, Azerbaijan will host the second meeting of heads of governments and vice presidents in a new format.

“Within the Organization of Turkic States, ministerial-level dialogue in industry, science, technology, and innovation continues to strengthen. The first meeting took place in Istanbul in 2024, followed by the second in Baku in 2025. Establishing the Turkish Investment Fund has strategic importance for supporting joint investment initiatives in the region and expanding financial instruments,” Asadov said.

The prime minister also highlighted that Azerbaijan-Türkiye cooperation in industry and technology has reached a qualitatively new level in recent years. He cited the signing of a document on the purchase and sale of an 870 MW power plant operating in Türkiye as confirmation of this progress.

The following remarks were of Turkish Trade Minister Emre Bolat, who said Turkish companies have contributed more than $5 billion to reconstruction projects in Karabakh.

Bolat highlighted that Turkish firms have played a key role in Azerbaijan, particularly in rebuilding areas liberated from occupation in Karabakh.

He added that Turkish companies have implemented approximately 560 projects across Azerbaijan to date.

By Khagan Isayev