The second trilateral meeting of the ministers of Foreign affairs, Economy, Trade, and Transport of Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and Türkiye took place in Ankara on January 29, where the countries reiterated their commitment to jointly counter threats to the parties’ sovereignty, simplify trade, and assist Uzbekistan in transporting cargo via the Middle Corridor, the Ministry of Transport said.

The ministers Bakhtiyor Saidov, Laziz Kudratov, and Ilhom Mahkamov attended the meeting on behalf of Uzbekistan.

Discussions centered on foreign policy and regional cooperation, the ways to advance trade, economic, and investment relations, and developing transport networks.

The meeting culminated in signing of Ankara Declaration.

The Declaration affirms the countries' firm commitment to support each other’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the inviolability of borders, Türkiye’s Anadolu news agency reported.

The document acknowledges the growing importance of joint projects in areas such as trade, investment, industry, energy, transport, logistics, digitalization, and communications.

The Declaration pinpoints to the significance of the Middle Corridor, which spans the borders of all three countries, and its role in enhancing the transit potential of Türkiye Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan.

The Declaration implies support for collective action against any attempts to undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the states and

underscores the countries' strong commitment to expanding cooperation on issues that reflect common regional and international interests.

The Declaration provides fro firm commitment to continuing joint efforts to unlock the full potential of cooperation in sectors like economy, trade, investments, and transit transportation.

The statement highlights the need to improve transport infrastructure to align with other regional transport initiatives, assist in digitalization, and facilitate trade flows along the Middle Corridor.

Projects like the Baku International Sea Trade Port and the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway are fully supported.

The Declaration also stresses the expansion of cooperation between logistics centers, carriers, and stations. The Logistics Centers and Freight Forwarders Association, established in June 2024, is tasked with developing transport infrastructure, attracting investments through cooperation with state and private entities, and finding solutions for fast, regular, and cost-effective transportation.

A mechanism for meetings of transport association heads of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) was founded in March 2024 to develop the transport potential of OTS member states and the private transport sector.

The Declaration also notes the adoption of an action plan to improve cooperation in transport, strengthen regional connections, and build sustainable transport systems.

The parties welcomed the ongoing efforts to implement the eCMR system for digitizing transport documents among OTS member states at the UN Economic Commission for Europe.

The parties commended the trial of an electronic permit system between Türkiye and Azerbaijan, as well as between Türkiye and Uzbekistan.

The parties affirmed their readiness to assist in the facilitation of Uzbek goods transportation through the Middle Corridor.

Cooperation in regional transport, communications, and infrastructure development, including the planning, construction, and operation of railway and highway projects, logistics centers, and airports, was also agreed upon.

The parties confirmed the importance of contributing to Azerbaijan's reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in the Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur regions, which include infrastructure, social services, and smart city solutions, as well as demining. They expressed interest in investment projects in these areas.

The parties expressed satisfaction with the signing of agreements within the OTS framework, including the creation of a simplified customs corridor, a strategic document on trade facilitation, and a partnership agreement on the digital economy.

The participants expressed confidence that the full operation of the Turkey Investment Fund, established by the OTS in 2024, will significantly stimulate trade, infrastructure, and development projects in sectors such as industrial production, transport, agriculture, digital technologies, and tourism.

The Declaration stresses the need to strengthen cooperation in construction, procurement, and related matters. It also highlights the importance of trade, industrial, and economic relations.

Additionally, the Declaration emphasizes the commitment to fostering mutual investments between the private sectors, expanding direct contact between entrepreneurs, chambers of commerce, business associations, and exploring new opportunities for imports and exports.

The Declaration underscores the importance of enhancing connections between supply chain participants and business representatives, improving inter-agency coordination in a broader cooperation framework, and facilitating foreign trade operations.

It also highlights the importance of expediting trade measures in line with the OTS's strategic document on trade facilitation and the approval of the 2025 action plan by the OTS's Trade Facilitation Committee.

The Declaration underscores the importance of strengthening technical cooperation in food security, agriculture, the food industry, and related research and development areas. It also stresses the need to create sustainable and vital value chains in agriculture.

The parties also emphasized expanding cooperation in the field of regional energy security, with particular focus on renewable energy sources.

The parties agreed that Afghanistan’s stable peace and socio-economic development are critical to ensuring security in Central Asia.

The Declaration highlights the importance of the Trans-Afghan Railway Project, which will strengthen regional transport and economic ties, increase trade flows, and create new opportunities for economic relations between regions.