Burc Eruygur
30 October 2026•Update: 30 October 2026
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov on Friday called for stronger economic and transport links among Turkic states, saying their geographical position and energy resources offered significant opportunities to expand their role in global trade and energy security.
Addressing the 13th summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in the Turkish capital Ankara, Bayramov highlighted the development of the Middle Corridor and expanded transport connections between member countries as ways to boost their collective economic potential.
“Our primary objective is to leverage these opportunities not merely for transit transport, but also to foster mutual trade, industrial cooperation, and investment,” he said.
Bayramov said cooperation in energy, digital connectivity and emerging technologies had reached a new stage among OTS member states, with Azerbaijan playing a key role in establishing green energy and digital links between Central Asia and Europe.
He also highlighted the OTS+ format as a means of expanding ties with third countries and international organizations, while urging continued efforts to secure observer status for the OTS at the UN General Assembly.
Recalling that Azerbaijan assumed the organization’s chairmanship at its 12th summit in Gabala last year, Bayramov said regional peace and security had been central priorities.
He noted that global developments over the past year had reinforced their importance amid growing tensions in international relations.
“In such an environment, Azerbaijan continues to serve as a zone of stability and security. Our country not only ensures its own security but also plays a stabilizing role in strengthening peace and stability across a broader region,” he said.
Armenia urged to take steps toward peace treaty
Bayramov said Azerbaijan’s restoration of its territorial integrity and sovereignty had resolved the long-standing conflict in the South Caucasus, with normalization efforts now underway with neighboring Armenia.
“A de facto state of peace exists in the region. Nevertheless, we expect Armenia to take the necessary political and legal steps toward the signing of a peace treaty,” he said.
He stressed Baku’s commitment to establishing a “long-term, reliable” peace and replacing the “era of conflict” in the South Caucasus with an “era of cooperation.”
Bayramov also thanked Türkiye for hosting the summit and congratulated the Turkish people on the country’s 103rd Republic Day, celebrated Oct. 29.
He wished Türkiye success as it assumed the OTS chairmanship from Azerbaijan and congratulated Mirvokhid Azimov on his appointment as the organization’s new secretary general.
