Upon the invitation of Mr. Hakan Fidan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat , Minister of Trade of the Republic of Türkiye and Mr. Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Türkiye, the second Trilateral Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Trade/Economy and Transport/Infrastructure of the Republic of Türkiye, the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Uzbekistan was held in Ankara on 29 January 2025 with the participation of Mr. Jeyhun Bayramov , Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Bakhtiyor Saidov , Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Mr. Mikayil Jabbarov , Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Laziz Kudratov , Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Mr. Rashad Nabiyev, Minister of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Mr. Ilhom Mahkamov , Minister of Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The Ministers (hereinafter referred to as “the Parties”);

Emphasising the strong strategic partnership between the three countries based on the principles of mutual respect, trust, common interest, and shared historical and cultural bonds;

Reaffirming the firm and unequivocal support of their States for each other's sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of their international borders;

Adhering to the Charter of the United Nations and universally recognised principles and norms of international law;

Recognising the growing importance of developing and promoting joint projects in the fields of trade, investment, industry, energy, transport and logistics, digital connectivity and communications;

Welcoming the contribution of the outcomes of the First Meeting held in Tashkent on 2 August 2022 to the further deepening of these relations;

Reiterating the importance of the "International Trans-Caspian East-West Corridor" (hereinafter referred to as the Middle Corridor), as a transport route passing through the territories of Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan and noting its significance for increasing the transit potential of these countries;

Emphasising that it is necessary to strengthen the Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia (TRACECA), ensuring that its mechanisms remain fully effective under current conditions;

Emphasizing the importance of considering how to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the activities of the TRACECA Permanent Secretariat and the Intergovernmental Commission;

Noting the importance of further enhancing the existing cooperation between the three countries in developing international transport corridors including within the TRACECA framework, in order to make the best use of the high transit potential of Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan;

Recognizing the importance of the application of information and communication technologies in transport and logistics sector;

Appreciating the current format of trilateral cooperation between Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan aimed at reinforcing their common objectives and strengthening relations based on mutual benefit;

have declared the following:

The Parties;

1) Reaffirmed their determination to enhance cooperation on regional and international issues of common interest and shared priorities;

2) Emphasised their support for joint actions to counter any attempts undermining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of their States, reiterating their unequivocal respect for territorial integrity of each other’s States within their international borders;

3) Expressed their determination to continue their joint efforts to realize full potential for cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, investment, logistics and transit transportation, and acknowledged the critical role of such collaboration in fostering regional prosperity;

4) Reiterated the common will to develop transport infrastructure, promote the digitalization and facilitate trade flows along the Middle Corridor within the broader connectivity agenda, including in synergy with other relevant regional transport initiatives;

5) Underlined the importance of developing new infrastructure projects, particularly digitalization of transport, border crossings and customs procedures to increase the capacity and competitiveness of the Middle Corridor;

6) Reiterated full support in advancing connectivity projects including development the Baku International Sea Trade Port and the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway to enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of the Middle Corridor;

7) Reaffirmed their confidence that the Association of Logistics Centres and Cargo Carriers, established in June 2024, with the objectives of increasing cooperation among the main logistics centres, carriers and stations, contributing to the development of transport infrastructure, attracting investment through public-private partnerships, and finding solutions for fast, regular and affordable freight transportation, and the mechanism of the Meeting of Heads of OTS Transport Associations, established in March 2024 to enhance the transport capacity of the Turkic States and develop the private transport sector through practical cooperation, will enable further cooperation on connectivity;

8) Expressed their satisfaction with the adoption of the Plan of Actions attached to this Joint Declaration, aimed at enhancing cooperation in the field of transport and, strengthening of regional connectivity, and the development of sustainable transport systems;

9) Expressed their satisfaction with the works initiated at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe on the application of eCMR system, for digitalization of transport documents among OTS countries;

10) Recognized the benefits of e-Permit mechanism in digitalization of transport operations, and eliminating the challenges that may arise from the loss or misuse of paper permits and welcomed the implementation of e-Permit system running in a test regime between Türkiye and Azerbaijan and between Türkiye and Uzbekistan;

11)Expressed their readiness to provide necessary assistance in facilitating transport of Uzbekistan’s cargo through the Middle Corridor;

12) Agreed to cooperate on enhancing regional transport, communication and infrastructure, and exchange experience on the design, construction and operation of railways, roads, logistics centres and airports;

13) Reiterated the importance of contributing to Azerbaijan's reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts, including humanitarian demining, in its Garabagh and Eastern Zangezur regions liberated from occupation, by investing in infrastructure, modern public services, and smart city solutions, thereby facilitating the safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons.In this line, expressed interest for realization of investment projects in Garabagh and Eastern Zangezur economic regions of the Republic of Azerbaijan;

14) Confirmed their satisfaction with ongoing connectivity cooperation under the umbrella of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) and welcomed the signing and implementation of the following documents listed below, which establish a robust legal framework for multilateral cooperation:

a) “Agreement on International Combined Freight Transport among the Governments of the Member States of the Organization of Turkic States”(11 November 2022, Samarkand);

b) “Transport Connectivity Program” (11 November 2022, Samarkand);

c) “Joint Action Plan ("Roadmap") on the Implementation of the Transport Connectivity Program of the Organization of Turkic States for 2023-2027” (3 November 2023, Astana);

d) “Memorandum of Understanding among the Member States of the Organization of Turkic States Regarding Cooperation and Use of Electronic Permit (e-Permit) in International Road Transport Operations” (6 July 2024, Shusha).

15) Expressed their satisfaction with the signing of the following documents in order to further develop the legal infrastructure that strengthens trade and economic cooperation within the OTS:

a) “Agreement on Establishment of Simplified Customs Corridor among the Governments of the Member States of the Organization of Turkic States” (11 November 2022, Samarkand);

b) “Organization of Turkic States Trade Facilitation Strategy Paper” (11 November 2022, Samarkand);

c) “Digital Economy Partnership Agreement between the Governments of the Member States of the Organization of Turkic States” (6 November 2024, Bishkek).

16) Underlined the contribution of the existing Joint Economic Commission mechanisms to the development of cooperation in many areas, in particular trade and economic relations, and reiterated the benefits of regular meetings;

17) Emphasized their confidence that making the Turkic Investment Fund (TIF), established by the OTS on May 18, 2024 fully operational will significantly boost trade, infrastructure, and development projects in areas of mutual interest, including industrial production, transport, agriculture, digital technologies, and tourism;

18) Committed to take necessary steps to enhance cooperation in the fields of construction, contracting and related services, recognizing their importance for strengthening trade, industry and economic relations;

19) Expressed their readiness to promote mutual investments across priority sectors, expand direct contact among business circles, chambers of commerce and industry, and business associations, and explore broader export/import opportunities;

20) Pointed out the importance of strengthening networking among business representatives and participants of the supply chain, improving institutional coordination, and facilitating foreign trade transactions within the context of greater connectivity;

21) Emphasized the importance of taking steps to accelerate trade in line with Organization of Turkic States Trade Facilitation Strategy Paper, adopted at the 9 ^th OTS Summit held in Samarkand on November 11, 2022, and welcomed Work Plan for 2025 of the Trade Facilitation Committee of the OTS;

22) Underscored the determination to deepen practical cooperation in the fields of industry, innovation and digital development, digital trade and digitalization of customs procedures;

23) Emphasized the importance of strengthening technical cooperation in food security, agriculture, food processing and related R&D, acknowledging the need for sustainable and resilient agricultural value chains;

24) Expressed their determination to discuss broader possibilities for energy cooperation, with particular focus on renewables to strengthen regional energy security;

25) Agreed to strengthen cooperation and exchange information and experience in fields of environment, climate change and urbanization, particularly through Zero Waste initiatives, afforestation, and promote the implementation of the special resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on declaring the Aral Sea Region a zone of ecological innovations and technologies, while also recognizing the need for environmental remediation, including mine clearance and sustainable reconstruction, especially in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan;

26) Welcomed the successful organization by the Republic of Azerbaijan of the 29 ^th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) and expressed strong support for its ongoing Presidency, pledging to align with and participate to COP 29 Action Agenda’s ambitious and comprehensive initiatives aimed to align climate action with sustainable development;

27) Highly appreciated COP29 regional legacy built within the framework of OTS by signing Declarations for establishment of OTS Partnership on Climate, Innovation, Green Economy and Trade, and OTS Forum of Climate Resilient Villages;

28) Welcomed the Chairmanship of Azerbaijan in CICA under the theme of “Stronger CICA, connectivity, digitalization and sustainable growth in Asia”, and expressed their readiness to contribute to the implementation of Chairmanship priorities, which include initiatives of common interest;

29) Underlined that lasting peace, stability, prosperity, security and socio-economic development in Afghanistan is an important factor in ensuring security in Central Asia and the importance of continuing the efforts of the international community to provide uninterrupted humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people; reaffirmed their confidence that the outputs of the OTS Working Group on Afghanistan, established in accordance with the Declaration of the 11th OTS Summit of the Council of Heads of State in Bishkek on November 6, 2024, will contribute to preparation of a common approach of the OTS Member States on Afghanistan; expressed the importance of the Trans-Afghan Railway Project, which will strengthen interregional transport and economic connectivity, increase trade flows and create new opportunities for economic relations between the regions;

30) Exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East, and welcomed the announcement of ceasefire in Gaza calling for its strict implementation by all parties to ensure ending all attacks and atrocities, and unhindered access of Palestinians to humanitarian assistance, and called for just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on the basis of a two-state solution with an independent, sovereign and geographically contiguous State of Palestine based on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, and welcomed the UN General Assembly Resolution of 10 May 2024 declaring that the State of Palestine is eligible for membership of the UN and should therefore be admitted;

31) Agreed to act together toward the shared goals of global and regional stability, peace and prosperity, to coordinate on issues of common interest at international organizations and multilateral platforms such as the United Nations and its specialized agencies, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Organization of Turkic States, the Economic Cooperation Organization, the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, and to provide mutual support to the draft resolutions, initiatives and candidacies submitted by the parties in international organizations within their capabilities.

The Azerbaijani and Uzbek Sides expressed their deep gratitude to the Turkish Side for the successful organization of the meeting.

It has been agreed to hold the Third Trilateral Meeting in the Republic of Azerbaijan on a mutually agreed date.

Signed in the city of Ankara, on January 29, 2025 in three original copies, each in English.