Page 62 - bne_March 2025_20250304

62 Opinion
bne March 2025
within the United Nations, the Organization of Turkic States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Economic Cooperation Organization and other international and regional structures. Their geographical positions, as well as the cultural and historical unity of their peoples, naturally foster mutual interest. Recent years have witnessed active rapprochement across various sectors, inevitably leading to the institutionalisation of relations and the establishment of new formats.
Azerbaijan, Turkey and Uzbekistan form key links in the New Silk Road. During the meeting in Ankara on January 29, one of the main topics of discussion was the expansion of cargo transportation along the international multimodal transport corridor connecting Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey and Europe.
“According to available data, in the first half of 2023 alone, Turkish companies established 121 joint ventures in Uzbekistan.”
The trilateral format has evolved based on the strong bilateral ties between Baku and Ankara, as well as Baku and Tashkent. The Ankara-Tashkent partnership has also gained momentum in recent years. Turkish businesses have been actively entering Uzbekistan’s market. According to available data, in the first half of 2023 alone, Turkish companies established 121 joint ventures in Uzbekistan.
Azerbaijan and Turkey have been long-standing and reliable partners, friends and allies. Their partnership is exceptionally strong, as demonstrated in various spheres – political, economic and even military, particularly during Azerbaijan’s 2020 military campaign. In 2021, Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed the Shusha Declaration
on Strategic Alliance. The well-known personal friendship between the leaders of Azerbaijan and Turkey plays a crucial role in strengthening ties and advancing joint projects.
The same can be said of the relationship between the presidents of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. In October last year, the first session of the High Interstate Council took place, resulting in the signing of the Treaty on Allied Relations
by Aliyev and his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Uzbekistan places great value on its relationship with Azerbaijan, a sentiment frequently expressed at various levels. Similarly, both Baku and Ankara are keen to support Uzbekistan’s development.
It is worth noting that Uzbekistan has not always been as proactive as it is today. There was a time when it sought to maintain a certain level of distance from deep integration.
www.bne.eu
This process unfolded gradually and cautiously. For instance, Tashkent did not participate in the first military exercises
of the Organization of Turkic States, held in Turkey in 2022. However, just a year later, Uzbek representatives joined other member states of the Organization in emergency response exercises in Baku. In October of last year, the Azerbaijani and Uzbek armed forces held joint command and staff exercises in the Azerbaijani capital.
Economic interests
The current surge in trilateral cooperation is primarily driven by economic interests. The three Turkic states are more interested in one another than ever before, as the evolving geopolitical landscape dictates new strategic imperatives.
At the core of the discussions on January 29 was the development of regional trade and transport corridors, a priority given ongoing global supply chain disruptions, the lingering economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the continued impact of the war in Ukraine. The three countries reaffirmed their commitment to boosting economic integration, particularly through the Middle Corridor, a vital route connecting Asia and Europe via the Caspian Sea.
The Ankara meeting placed particular emphasis on deepening economic, transport, and energy cooperation. Given their strategic locations along the historic Silk Road, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Uzbekistan view closer collaboration as a means to increase regional connectivity, attract investment, and foster long-term stability.
A major outcome of the summit was the signing of the Ankara Declaration, a document outlining joint efforts to expand trade, improve infrastructure, modernise customs procedures and promote digital transformation. The declaration underscores a shared vision for strengthening supply chain resilience, reducing trade barriers, and advancing industrial partnerships.
To this end, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Uzbekistan agreed
to enhance coordination in logistics, investment, and communications, ensuring that businesses in the three countries can better navigate global market fluctuations. The declaration also highlights plans to integrate digital customs systems, streamline border procedures, and adopt new technologies to facilitate cross-border trade.
Developing the Middle Corridor
The Middle Corridor, formally known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), was a key topic of discussion. As a central artery linking China to Europe through Central Asia and the Caucasus, the Middle Corridor has gained strategic importance amid shifts in global trade dynamics. Azerbaijan, Turkey and Uzbekistan pledged to expand investments in transport infrastructure, improve railway connectivity, and support key logistics hubs such as