Today, the importance of interaction between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan is steadily increasing. This is primarily based on common and mutually beneficial interests in the energy, transport, transit, communications and telecommunications sectors. An expert Yuri Aronsky told CentralAsia.news about the distinctive features of economic relations between the two countries.
Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan are expanding the orbit of cooperation
This year, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan have demonstrated persistence in promoting bilateral relations. 12 meetings took place, not counting summits and conferences, during which representatives of the two countries discussed pressing issues of politics and economics. The parties outlined specific steps to import and export goods and bolster humanitarian cooperation. Furthermore, the countries discussed important cultural issues.
Search for new forms of interstate partnerships
On November 28, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov and Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan Mikayil Jabbarov held a meeting in Ashgabat. The parties discussed the current situation and prospects of Turkmen natural gas exports to Azerbaijan. The ministers considered electricity exports from Turkmenistan to Azerbaijan.
Transport and transit interaction
The ministers noted the growth of regular cargo transportation by various modes of transport. Given the advantageous geographical location of Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan, Meredov and Jabbarov discussed the specific proposals for further expansion of trade and economic contacts, the implementation of promising joint projects and the opportunities for building up transport and logistics cooperation.
Meredov and Jabbarov noted the existing significant potential for creating transit routes across the Caspian Sea. This will strengthen trade ties of the Central Asian countries with the neighbouring regions in the west and the east. Emphasising that the potential in this sphere remains untapped, the parties discussed the search for new forms of partnerships and further steps to expand trade relations.
Shared historical and cultural values
Meredov and Jabbarov characterised cultural and humanitarian cooperation as an important area to promote bilateral relations and emphasised the community of spiritual, cultural and historical values of the two peoples.
President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov received Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan Mikayil Jabbarov. They exchanged views on the prospects for building up long-term partnerships, identified the priority areas of mutual interest and put forward the specific proposals for further expansion of trade and economic relations and the implementation of promising joint projects.
Thus, the overview shows that the entire range of issues discussed at the meetings gives Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan a strong basis to build up relations for the mutual benefit of the two nations.
