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the Baku International Sea Trade Port and the Baku-Tbilisi- Kars railway.
By further developing the Middle Corridor, the three countries seek to increase cargo transit capacity, reduce dependency on traditional routes, and enhance the competitiveness of regional supply chains. The declaration also confirms support for a joint action plan aimed at optimising logistics networks, reducing bottlenecks, and improving infrastructure resilience.
Beyond economic and trade issues, the Ankara meeting also addressed foreign policy and regional security. The Ankara Declaration reaffirms the three nations' commitment to protecting each other's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the inviolability of borders in accordance with international law and the UN Charter.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of cooperation within the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), which Azerbaijan, Turkey and Uzbekistan regard as a vital platform for fostering economic and political alignment. A major tool for deepening collaboration will be the Turkic Investment Fund, which is set to finance strategic projects in infrastructure, digitalisation, industrial development and energy.
“Industrial cooperation was another major theme, with representatives exploring opportunities for joint production ventures in high-
value sectors such as technology, agriculture and energy.”
Security and stability in the region were also key topics. The three nations expressed concerns over geopolitical tensions, emphasising the importance of regional security frameworks to mitigate risks, strengthen diplomatic coordination and promote economic resilience.
An important aspect of the Ankara Declaration is the commitment to supporting the reconstruction and development of Karabakh and East Zangezur. Turkey and Uzbekistan expressed their readiness to contribute to infrastructure rehabilitation, the modernisation of public services, and the return of internally displaced persons. Investments in digitalisation, transport networks and energy projects are expected to play a crucial role in ensuring the sustainable development of the region.
This focus aligns with Azerbaijan’s broader post-conflict reconstruction efforts, which aim to restore economic
activity, rebuild key infrastructure and foster long-term stability in territories taken back by Azerbaijan in recent years. The declaration calls for greater international cooperation in these efforts, recognising the potential for foreign direct investment in infrastructure, logistics and energy projects.
Business partnerships
For the first time in this trilateral format, a business forum was held alongside the ministerial meeting, bringing together more than 400 representatives from the private sector, investment firms and key industries across the three countries.
The forum focused on expanding trade partnerships, simplifying bureaucratic procedures, and removing regulatory barriers that currently hinder business expansion. Discussions included harmonising certification standards, modernising customs processes and facilitating cross-border investment flows.
Industrial cooperation was another major theme, with representatives exploring opportunities for joint production ventures in high-value sectors such as technology, agriculture and energy. Special attention was given to green energy
and sustainable development, with a focus on renewable energy projects, energy diversification and infrastructure modernisation.
Azerbaijan, Turkey and Uzbekistan also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening energy cooperation, particularly in electricity transmission, natural gas distribution and the development of hydrogen and alternative energy sources. The declaration highlights a joint strategy to reduce reliance on external energy supplies and enhance regional energy security.
Looking ahead, the three countries agreed to institutionalise the trilateral format, holding regular ministerial meetings
to assess progress and implement new initiatives. The next high-level meeting will take place in Baku, where further agreements on trade, transport and infrastructure investment are expected to be finalised.
The Ankara Declaration serves as a blueprint for deeper integration, reinforcing the three countries' shared vision of economic prosperity, regional connectivity, and geopolitical coordination. By enhancing trade routes, boosting investment flows, and fostering security cooperation, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan are paving the way for a new era of regional collaboration.
With ambitious infrastructure projects, growing trade relations, and enhanced diplomatic engagement, the trilateral format is set to become a cornerstone of Eurasian economic strategy, delivering tangible benefits not just to its participants but to the broader region.
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