Avaza (TDI): Leaders of Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan met in Turkmenistan’s Avaza National Tourist Zone for a trilateral summit focused on strengthening cooperation in transport, energy, trade, and cultural exchanges.
The gathering brought together Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, and Turkmenistan’s National Leader and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov last week, which underscored the growing importance of regional connectivity, economic integration, and joint development projects.
President Mirziyoyev outlined initiatives to expand transport routes and optimize the region’s transit potential, stressing the integration of new and existing corridors to connect China with South Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
Key projects discussed included the ongoing China–Uzbekistan railway, the proposed Trans-Afghan Corridor linking Uzbekistan with Pakistan and Afghanistan, and regional efforts to enhance the Middle Corridor and Zangezur Corridor. The leaders agreed on steps to expand transport hubs, modernize logistics infrastructure at the ports of Turkmenbashi and Baku, implement unified tariff policies, and digitize freight systems. Uzbekistan also offered tariff reductions on a reciprocal basis to facilitate greater market access.
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Energy cooperation was another major focus. The leaders emphasized expanding joint efforts in energy exports and developing new supply routes, including a proposed initiative to export “green” energy to Europe.
They also discussed broader cooperation in hydrocarbon exploration and offshore development in the Caspian Sea. President Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan’s state oil company SOCAR has begun developing an oil field in Uzbekistan, with results expected in the near future.
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Participants highlighted that trade among the three countries has doubled in recent years, with industrial goods accounting for around 40% of the exchange. Talks covered preparations for a Comprehensive Action Plan to strengthen trade and logistics chains, harmonize standards, digitize labeling systems, and expand e-commerce through joint platforms.
Plans were also made to increase business forums and trade fairs under the framework of national chambers of commerce and industry.
The meeting concluded with agreements on cultural and tourism exchanges, aimed at promoting regional tourism and shared heritage. A joint presidential statement was issued alongside memoranda covering transport and logistics, shipbuilding, aviation, and cooperation between national commodity exchanges.
President Mirziyoyev proposed the creation of a roadmap and regular ministerial meetings to monitor progress and ensure practical implementation of trilateral projects.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
