President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met with President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, in Avaza, Turkmenistan, within the scope of the Turkey-Azerbaijan-Turkmenistan Presidents' Summit. Aliyev, who held meetings with narrow participation and between delegations, spoke at the summit.
Stating that he visited Turkmenistan for the second time this year, Aliyev said, “We are happy to witness Turkmenistan's steady and dynamic progress and to see its achievements. Azerbaijan, Turkey and Turkmenistan are closely linked to each other by their ethnic, religious, cultural roots and common moral values. We are justifiably proud of the rich historical and cultural heritage of our people and the great contributions they have made to humanity. Azerbaijan's political relations with both Turkey and Turkmenistan are at a high level. The Shusha Declaration we signed with Turkey last year brought our relations to the level of a strategic alliance. In 2017, a Strategic Partnership Declaration was signed between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan.
“Azerbaijan's trade turnover with Turkey and Turkmenistan has increased”
Stating that Azerbaijan, Turkey and Turkmenistan are in mutual support and cooperation with each other within the framework of the UN, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Organization of Turkic States, the OSCE and international organizations, Aliyev said, "Our relations based on historical ties, economy, trade, transportation-logistics and other create opportunities for the development of cooperation in these fields. In the January-October period of 2022, Azerbaijan's trade turnover with Turkey increased by 45 percent and reached 5 billion dollars. About 20 billion dollars was invested in the Turkish economy from Azerbaijan, and about 14 billion dollars was invested in the Azerbaijani economy from Turkey. This year, Azerbaijan's trade turnover with Turkmenistan increased 5 times. This is a record indicator. Azerbaijan, Turkey and Turkmenistan have achieved great success in the field of transport and logistics. Many projects have been implemented by our countries that open up new opportunities for cooperation in the field of transport connections.”
“We are interested in the opening of the Zangezur corridor”
Stating that the investments made in all three countries serve for the creation of new and modern infrastructure, Aliyev said, “Azerbaijan is an active participant in the East-West and North-South transportation corridors and has implemented all major projects related to railway, road and air transportation on its territory. As a result, Azerbaijan has become an important transit country. In the first 2022 months of 10, the total volume of transit transport passing through the territory of Azerbaijan increased by more than 80 percent compared to the same period of the previous year. We are currently actively engaged in the opening of the Zangezur corridor. In the part of the Zangezur corridor that passes through the territory of Azerbaijan, 40 percent of the works on the railway line and 70 percent on the highway have been completed. All work will be completed in 2024 and a new transport corridor will emerge. Baku International Maritime Trade Port has an annual cargo carrying capacity of 15 million tons and it is planned to invest to increase this volume to 25 million tons. Last year, the foundation of the Alat Free Economic Zone, located on the shores of the Caspian Sea, was laid. We invite companies from Turkey and Turkmenistan to benefit from the opportunities of this region.”
“Capacity of Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway will be increased to 5 million tons”
Reminding that they opened the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway in 2017 with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Aliyev said, “More than 100 million dollars will be invested in this project and the carrying capacity will be increased from the current 1 million tons to 5 million tons. Azerbaijan has the largest merchant fleet of the Caspian Sea with more than 50 cargo ships. The Baku shipyard, which was put into service in 2013, is currently operating at full capacity. All kinds of ships can be made in this factory. Azerbaijan has one of the largest civil air cargo fleets in our region with 18 cargo planes. It is planned to add 10 more aircraft to our cargo fleet in the next 9 years. Currently, there are 8 international airports operating in Azerbaijan. The President of Turkey, my dear brother Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attended the opening of the Fuzuli and Zangilan airports, which were built on the lands liberated from the occupation. It is planned to open the 9th international airport of our country in Laçın, which was liberated from the occupation, in 2024.
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