A growing partnership between Azerbaijan, Turkey and Uzbekistan marks an important shift in regional economic diplomacy, with the three countries positioning themselves as key players in Eurasian connectivity and supply chain resilience. 

At meeting in Ankara on January 29, ministers from the trio demonstrated a clear commitment to long-term strategic cooperation, ensuring that economic and geopolitical interests are aligned for sustained growth and regional stability.

The high level dialogue between the ministers of foreign affairs, economy, trade and transport builds on the trilateral cooperation platform launched in August 2022 in Tashkent, where the three nations committed to enhancing economic, trade, and infrastructure ties amid evolving geopolitical and economic challenges.

Longstanding cooperation 

The initiative to establish this format originally came from Azerbaijan, with the other two countries readily supporting it. Previously, Tashkent had proposed the Barrier-Free Central Asia initiative, and this new trilateral format aligns well with Uzbekistan’s stated objectives. Created in 2022, the format is entirely new in the relations between the three countries. 

However, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Uzbekistan have long cooperated both bilaterally and within multilateral frameworks. Notably, all three nations actively collaborate within the United Nations, the Organization of Turkic States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Economic Cooperation Organization and other international and regional structures. Their geographical positions, as well as the cultural and historical unity of their peoples, naturally foster mutual interest. Recent years have witnessed active rapprochement across various sectors, inevitably leading to the institutionalisation of relations and the establishment of new formats.

Azerbaijan, Turkey and Uzbekistan form key links in the New Silk Road. During the meeting in Ankara on January 29, one of the main topics of discussion was the expansion of cargo transportation along the international multimodal transport corridor connecting Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey and Europe.

The trilateral format has evolved based on the strong bilateral ties between Baku and Ankara, as well as Baku and Tashkent. The Ankara-Tashkent partnership has also gained momentum in recent years. Turkish businesses have been actively entering Uzbekistan’s market. According to available data, in the first half of 2023 alone, Turkish companies established 121 joint ventures in Uzbekistan.

Azerbaijan and Turkey have been long-standing and reliable partners, friends and allies. Their partnership is exceptionally strong, as demonstrated in various spheres — political, economic and even military, particularly during Azerbaijan’s 2020 military campaign. In 2021, Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed the Shusha Declaration on Strategic Alliance. The well-known personal friendship between the leaders of Azerbaijan and Turkey plays a crucial role in strengthening ties and advancing joint projects. 

The same can be said of the relationship between the presidents of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. In October last year, the first session of the High Interstate Council took place, resulting in the signing of the Treaty on Allied Relations by Aliyev and his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Uzbekistan places great value on its relationship with Azerbaijan, a sentiment frequently expressed at various levels. Similarly, both Baku and Ankara are keen to support Uzbekistan’s development.

It is worth noting that Uzbekistan has not always been as proactive as it is today. There was a time when it sought to maintain a certain level of distance from deep integration. This process unfolded gradually and cautiously. For instance, Tashkent did not participate in the first military exercises of the Organization of Turkic States, held in Turkey in 2022. However, just a year later, Uzbek representatives joined other member states of the Organization in emergency response exercises in Baku. In October of last year, the Azerbaijani and Uzbek armed forces held joint command and staff exercises in the Azerbaijani capital.

Economic interests 

The current surge in trilateral cooperation is primarily driven by economic interests. The three Turkic states are more interested in one another than ever before, as the evolving geopolitical landscape dictates new strategic imperatives.

At the core of the discussions on January 29 was the development of regional trade and transport corridors, a priority given ongoing global supply chain disruptions, the lingering economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the continued impact of the war in Ukraine. The three countries reaffirmed their commitment to boosting economic integration, particularly through the Middle Corridor, a vital route connecting Asia and Europe via the Caspian Sea.

The Ankara meeting placed particular emphasis on deepening economic, transport, and energy cooperation. Given their strategic locations along the historic Silk Road, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Uzbekistan view closer collaboration as a means to increase regional connectivity, attract investment, and foster long-term stability.

A major outcome of the summit was the signing of the Ankara Declaration, a document outlining joint efforts to expand trade, improve infrastructure, modernise customs procedures and promote digital transformation. The declaration underscores a shared vision for strengthening supply chain resilience, reducing trade barriers, and advancing industrial partnerships.

To this end, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Uzbekistan agreed to enhance coordination in logistics, investment, and communications, ensuring that businesses in the three countries can better navigate global market fluctuations. The declaration also highlights plans to integrate digital customs systems, streamline border procedures, and adopt new technologies to facilitate cross-border trade.

Developing the Middle Corridor 

The Middle Corridor, formally known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), was a key topic of discussion. As a central artery linking China to Europe through Central Asia and the Caucasus, the Middle Corridor has gained strategic importance amid shifts in global trade dynamics. Azerbaijan, Turkey and Uzbekistan pledged to expand investments in transport infrastructure, improve railway connectivity, and support key logistics hubs such as 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.

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.