Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Ilham Aliyev discussed transport, energy and trade at the talks in Baku
Turkmen-Azerbaijani talks at the highest level took place in Baku. A President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and a President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev held a meeting first in a «one-on-one» format, and then — in an expanded format with the participation of official delegations. Having warmly welcomed the high Turkmen guest, the leader of the neighboring country expressed gratitude for accepting the invitation to visit Azerbaijan. As was emphasized, the current visit of the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov will contribute to bringing the traditionally friendly Azerbaijani-Turkmen relations to a qualitatively new level. Having thanked for the invitation to visit the Republic of Azerbaijan on a state visit, as well as for the hospitality extended to the Turkmen delegation, the Arkadagly Hero-Serdar noted that today bilateral cooperation is consistently developing. Along with this, confidence was expressed that the current visit will contribute to the further strengthening of the partnership. As was emphasized, a regular dialogue at the highest level serves as a key factor in the development of interstate cooperation. Last year, two visits of a National Leader of the Turkmen people Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to the Republic of Azerbaijan and a visit of the President Ilham Aliyev to Turkmenistan took place, the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov said and, taking this opportunity, conveyed words of greeting and best wishes to the Azerbaijani leader from the Hero-Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The Head of Turkmenistan noted the tremendous personal merit and special attention paid by the President Ilham Aliyev to strengthening the bonds of friendship and brotherhood between the two countries. In turn, the leader of the neighboring state addressed his best wishes to the National Leader of the Turkmen people Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, emphasizing the enormous contribution of the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan to the strengthening of Turkmen-Azerbaijani relations. Then the negotiations continued in an expanded format with the participation of the delegations of the two countries. Welcoming the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov once again, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev expressed gratitude for accepting the invitation to visit the Republic of Azerbaijan on a state visit. As was noted, great importance is attached in Azerbaijan to the current visit of the head of Turkmenistan. In this regard, confidence was expressed that this visit will serve to deepen the friendly and brotherly ties between our countries. – I am very glad about Your visit to Azerbaijan with such a representative delegation, – the head of the neighboring state said, noting that the members of the delegations will hold bilateral meetings to discuss important issues. The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev also emphasized the significance of the documents being signed today and, taking this opportunity, once again expressed gratitude to the National Leader of the Turkmen people Hero-Arkadag for the decision to present a mosque as a gift to the city of Fuzuli. As was noted, the foundation of the mosque was laid within the framework of the Summit of the Organization of Turkic States, and the decision on this was made during the visit of the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Azerbaijan in the summer of last year. This fact is another testament to the successfully developing brotherly relations between our countries. The bilateral agenda covers practically all areas of interaction, the head of the friendly state continued, expressing gratitude to the Turkmen side for the hospitality extended to the creative collectives of Azerbaijan within the framework of the recently held Days of Culture in Turkmenistan. The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev also noted that last year the Days of Culture of Turkmenistan were held in Azerbaijan. In this context, it was emphasized that such cooperation in the humanitarian sphere is an important factor in strengthening the dialogue between our peoples, who share a common history. Touching upon such key issues of the global agenda as transport and energy security, the leader of the neighboring country noted that Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, within the framework of joint initiatives, play a significant role in the region and in the world, and once again welcomed the Turkmen delegation to the Azerbaijani land. Speaking next, the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov again expressed sincere gratitude to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev for the invitation to visit the Republic of Azerbaijan on a state visit, as well as for the warm welcome and hospitality extended. It was emphasized that close ties have been established between our countries in the political-diplomatic, trade-economic, and cultural-humanitarian fields. Contacts at the highest level act as a key factor in the successful development of bilateral relations, the head of state continued, noting that last year the National Leader of the Turkmen people Hero-Arkadag visited the Republic of Azerbaijan twice, and a visit of the leader of the brotherly country to Turkmenistan also took place. Speaking about the cooperation of our countries on the international arena, primarily within the framework of the United Nations, the Economic Cooperation Organization, the Organization of Turkic States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Commonwealth of Independent States, the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov thanked the Azerbaijani side for supporting the neutral foreign policy course of Turkmenistan and international initiatives aimed at achieving peace and creating the necessary conditions for sustainable development. In turn, our country supports the internationally significant initiatives of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Head of State emphasized. Cooperation in the Caspian Sea was named among the priority areas of interaction. As was underscored, in this regard, it was proposed to hold a high-level meeting of the Caspian states on Caspian Sea issues in October 2026 in the National Tourist Zone «Awaza». Designating the trade and economic sphere as one of the main directions of interaction, the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted with satisfaction the stable dynamics of bilateral trade turnover. Focusing attention on the presence of good potential in this field in our countries, the Head of State stressed the need to intensify the activities of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation. At the same time, Turkmenistan's readiness for partnership in the electric power industry was confirmed. In this context, the discussion touched upon the availability of opportunities for electricity supplies from our country to Azerbaijan, as well as the new 1574-megawatt power plant currently being constructed on the shore of the Caspian Sea. The transport and transit sector was named among the strategic vectors of cooperation. As was emphasized, Turkmenistan attaches special importance to the development of international transport corridors. It was noted that Turkmenistan and the Republic of Azerbaijan, having a favorable geographical location at the junction of Asia and Europe, can make an important contribution to the development of international transport corridors. An example of successful interaction is the Afghanistan–Turkmenistan–Azerbaijan–Georgia–Turkey transport corridor. Our countries also support the initiative to create the Caspian Sea – Black Sea transport corridor along the Turkmenistan–Azerbaijan–Georgia–Romania route. Connecting the Caspian and Black Sea regions opens up good opportunities for the development of economic, trade, and investment cooperation, the Arkadagly Hero-Serdar continued, proposing to strengthen the activities of the Turkmen-Azerbaijani commission on transport, transit, and logistics issues in order to further activate interaction in the transport sphere. The President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov also confirmed Turkmenistan's readiness for partnership in the oil and gas, chemical, textile industries, and other directions. As was noted, special importance is attached to the development of cultural and humanitarian ties. The regular holding of reciprocal Days of Culture, exhibitions, festivals, and other events in Turkmenistan and in the Republic of Azerbaijan contributes to the strengthening of bilateral relations. The Days of Culture of Turkmenistan held in October of last year in the cities of Baku and Ganja, as well as the Days of Culture of Azerbaijan held from June 5 to 7 of the current year in the cities of Ashgabat and Arkadag, were cited as examples. The Head of State especially noted that an important project is currently being implemented, which is meant to become a symbol of friendship and brotherhood between the two peoples — the construction of a mosque in the city of Fuzuli on the initiative of the National Leader of the Turkmen people Hero-Arkadag. In conclusion of his speech, the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed conviction that the current visit will become an important milestone on the path of strengthening cooperation between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Azerbaijan, wishing the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev strong health, happiness, and great success in state activities, and to the brotherly Azerbaijani people — peace, well-being, and further prosperity.