The ninth meeting of the Turkmen-Azerbaijani Inter-governmental Commission on Economic Co-operation was held at the building of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan. It was attended by the chair and members of the commission from the Turkmen side and an Azerbaijani delegation led by the Minister of Economy, Mikayil Jabbarov. Following the meeting, the parties signed a Protocol setting out joint steps to strengthen cooperation, according to the TDH news agency.

Key outcomes and agreements:

Agreements: The participants discussed the implementation of the agreements reached during the state visit of the President of Turkmenistan to Azerbaijan in June this year. The package of inter-ministerial documents signed at that time formed the basis for expanding the partnership. The parties noted the symbolic handover of the tanker ‘Dostluk’ to Turkmenistan and the ongoing construction of a mosque in the city of Fizuli, an initiative of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

Trade and investment: The figures for mutual trade were analysed and plans were drawn up to increase it. It was noted that regular business forums and bilateral meetings would serve as a stimulus for trade growth.

Transport and logistics: The parties agreed to make more effective use of the potential of the Turkmenbashi International Seaport and the Baku International Commercial Seaport for transit freight transport along the Asia–Europe route.

Energy: Coordination on the global hydrocarbons market was discussed during the event. In the electricity sector, the construction of a new 1,574 MW power station in the Turkmenbashi etrap of the Balkan velayat was identified as a promising area.

The negotiation process also touched upon projects in the fields of digital development, telecommunications, agriculture, food security, the environment and urban planning.

In the humanitarian sphere, the participants highlighted the establishment of twinning arrangements between the cities of Arkadag and Fizuli, the organisation of reciprocal Culture Days, and reaffirmed plans to develop ties in science, sport and youth policy.