Avaza Trilateral Summit: A New Era in Strategic Partnership
Avaza Trilateral Summit: A New Era in Strategic Partnership
Turkmenistan’s Avaza Tourism Zone has hosted a landmark summit for regional cooperation, where the leaders of Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan signed a joint declaration covering transport, energy, economy, and culture.
At the invitation of Turkmenistan’s National Leader and Chairman of the People’s Council, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev gathered in Avaza for trilateral talks.
The three leaders discussed strengthening cooperation in trade, economy, investment, and transport. Following the summit, a joint declaration was signed, setting out a roadmap for continued strategic partnership among the three countries.
Key issues included boosting transport along the “Uzbekistan–Turkmenistan–Azerbaijan” route and leveraging the potential of the Middle Corridor. A working group will be established to coordinate the transit corridor that will link the Turkic world through the Caspian Sea to Türkiye and Europe.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev underlined SOCAR’s new energy initiatives, stating: “Our state oil company SOCAR has already begun operations in an oil field in Uzbekistan, with a contract signed.”
Aliyev, who continues his official visit to Turkmenbashi, praised the hospitality of Turkmenistan and emphasized the historic, cultural, and spiritual bonds uniting the three countries. “Today, here on the hospitable Turkmen land, I would once again like to stress that under the wise leadership of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Turkmenistan has achieved significant socio-economic progress and strengthened its international role and reputation,” Aliyev said, adding that a new chapter in trilateral cooperation was opening.
“Azerbaijan–Turkmenistan relations are experiencing an era of growth”
Aliyev recalled Berdimuhamedov’s recent visit to Azerbaijan, during which the two leaders toured the liberated cities of Fuzuli and Shusha. He expressed gratitude for Turkmenistan’s decision to support the construction of a mosque in Fuzuli and highlighted the new twinning ties between Fuzuli and Arkadag.
“Shared investment projects with Uzbekistan”
Referring to the Treaty of Allied Relations signed with Uzbekistan in August 2024, Aliyev praised Uzbekistan’s reforms and dynamic development. He expressed appreciation for Uzbekistan’s contributions to Azerbaijan’s post-war reconstruction, including the building of a school in Fuzuli named after Mirzo Ulugh Beg, the establishment of a sewing factory in Khankendi, and the construction of an Uzbekistan Park in Baku.
Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan share “many investment projects based on mutual interests.”
“Joint efforts in transport and logistics will benefit the wider region”
Highlighting the geostrategic position of Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan as a bridge between East and West, North and South, Aliyev said: “New opportunities lie ahead of us in transport, including the Middle Corridor, port expansion, and railway connections. The joint efforts of our three countries in transit and logistics will not only serve our peoples but also bring great value to the wider region.”
“We await major oil discoveries in Uzbekistan”
Aliyev also emphasized energy cooperation: “We already have traditional energy cooperation with Turkmenistan. Now we have taken a step with Uzbekistan as well. SOCAR has started operating an oil field in Uzbekistan, and we hope to receive good news in the near future. We are all eagerly awaiting the announcement of a major oil discovery in Uzbekistan.”