A trilateral mechanism between Turkey, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan has made significant contributions to the prosperity and stability of the region, Turkey’s Anadoolu Agency cites the Foreign Minister of Turkey Mevlut Chavushoglu as saying during a joint press conference with his Azerbaijani and Turkmen counterparts on Tuesday.
The Fifth Trilateral Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Turkey, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan was held in Ankara with the participation of Mevlut Chavushoglu, Azerbaijan’s FM Jeyhun Bayramov and Turkmen FM Rashid Meredov.
Underlining that the meeting had been fruitful, Chavushoglu said the delegations reviewed the steps they had taken so far and voiced important ideas and proposals for the future.
He stressed that Turkey wants to work closely with Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan as part of its Asia Anew initiative. Turkey launched the initiative in 2019 to improve ties with Asian countries in various areas.
The ministers also discussed and determined a roadmap for an upcoming trilateral summit of the presidents of the three countries to be held in Turkmenistan, he added.
In turn, Rashid Meredov hailed the trilateral gathering as a "historic meeting," noting that Turkey and Azerbaijan have always supported Turkmenistan's initiatives in the international arena.
Meredov added that they already started preparations for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Turkmenistan this year.
For his part, Azerbaijan FM Bayramov said joint exploration and development of hydrocarbons in the Dostluk (Friendship) field in the Caspian Sea between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan would provide a positive contribution to the energy security of Turkey and other European countries.
The agreement on the joint exploration of the undersea hydrocarbon field was signed in the Turkmen capital of Ashgabat on January 21.
During the meeting, the ministers signed a joint declaration that emphasized the importance of the trilateral mechanism to enhance multilateral cooperation opportunities.
They agreed to strengthen commercial and economic cooperation, as well as to use their existing potential to encourage investment and trade, and to carry out joint projects and programs including energy, transportation, agriculture, tourism and the environment.
