Azerbaijan, Georgia and Türkiye Reaffirm Strategic Partnership at Trilateral Meeting in Istanbul
Istanbul, The Gulf Observer: The 10th trilateral meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Türkiye was held in Istanbul on June 8, bringing together Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, Georgia’s Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili, and Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
During his remarks, Minister Bayramov highlighted that rising geopolitical tensions, disruptions in global supply chains and increasing economic uncertainties have made political coordination and regional cooperation more crucial than ever. He described the Azerbaijan–Georgia–Türkiye trilateral format as a key platform for promoting regional stability, security and economic development.
He noted that recent meetings among parliamentary foreign relations committees in Baku, the Business Forum hosted in Georgia, and the trilateral defence ministers’ meeting in Ankara reflect the increasingly comprehensive and multidimensional nature of cooperation among the three countries.
Bayramov stressed that the partnership has become a major driving force for regional stability and development, citing flagship energy and transport projects such as the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan oil pipeline, the Baku–Tbilisi–Erzurum gas pipeline, the Southern Gas Corridor, and the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway as successful examples of result-oriented collaboration.
He underscored that energy cooperation remains a cornerstone of the trilateral partnership, noting that Azerbaijan currently exports natural gas to 16 countries. He also pointed to the extension of the gas purchase agreement between Azerbaijan and Georgia, as well as agreements between SOCAR and BOTAŞ on supplies from the second phase of the Absheron field, as important contributions to regional energy security.
On transport and connectivity, the minister highlighted the strategic importance of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor), adding that the modernization of the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway and the resumption of passenger rail services would further enhance regional mobility. He also emphasized projects aimed at improving connectivity between mainland Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic as vital elements of regional cooperation and trust-building.
Bayramov further identified significant potential for expanding cooperation in information and communication technologies, high technologies, agriculture, water management and tourism, while also calling for closer coordination in addressing shared challenges, including terrorism, transnational organized crime, cyber threats and climate change.
He reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s support for Türkiye as it prepares to host the 31st session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31), and reiterated Baku’s commitment to deepening trilateral cooperation for regional peace, stability and prosperity.
The ministers also exchanged views on the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as broader regional and international security developments, including tensions in the Middle East. They stressed the importance of resolving conflicts through dialogue and diplomatic means in line with international law.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the three foreign ministers signed the Istanbul Declaration outlining the outcomes of their discussions, followed by a joint press conference where they addressed media questions.
