The strengthening of Turkic states and their unification around a single political will is one of the priority directions of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy. The strategic course implemented under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev ensures the strengthening of solidarity among Turkic states and that common historical-cultural values gain new content in the plane of political and economic cooperation. It is no coincidence that Azerbaijan is one of the leading states that promotes the integration of the Turkic world, plays an active role in defending common interests, and makes significant contributions to development. President Ilham Aliyev’s calls that “The Turkic world is our family” and “The Turkic world must become one of the influential geopolitical power centers of the 21st century” express Azerbaijan’s principled position in this direction.
Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedov’s state visit to Azerbaijan and the productive meetings held once again showed that Azerbaijan plays an important role in deepening and strengthening relations between brotherly states. Within the framework of the visit, the exchange of documents and the online gifting of the “Dostluk” oil tanker, which has become a symbol of fraternal relations, with the participation of the Presidents, was an important contribution to the further strengthening of Azerbaijan-Turkmenistan friendship and cooperation relations.
These thoughts were expressed by Rashad Mahmudov, a member of the New Azerbaijan Party Board and a deputy of the Milli Majlis. The deputy stated that the Joint Declaration signed by the Presidents clearly and systematically set out the main directions of future cooperation.
After the meetings, the head of state touched upon the visit of the President of Turkmenistan to Azerbaijan and stated that the main directions of bilateral cooperation were discussed in detail during the negotiations and concrete priorities for the future development of relations were determined. Expressing his gratitude to Turkmenistan, especially to Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, for the support provided to the restoration of Karabakh, the head of state noted that the initiative to build a mosque in Fuzuli city during his visit to our country in July last year and the commencement of construction work is a clear example of the sincere friendship and brotherhood of the people of Turkmenistan towards Azerbaijan. Stating that the solid foundation of the relations is built on historical ties, common culture, and spiritual closeness, the head of our state called the Culture Days held in Ashgabat, Arkadag, Baku, and Ganja a vivid manifestation of this cooperation. In addition, the fraternal relations formed between Baku and Ashgabat, as well as Fuzuli and Arkadag cities, demonstrate the depth of strategic cooperation between the two countries.
President Ilham Aliyev also expressed his gratitude for the support shown by Turkmenistan in accepting Azerbaijan as a full member of the Consultative Council of the Heads of Central Asian States, assessing this as a historic event, and noted that common historical and cultural ties, as well as regional cooperation formats, further strengthen this integration. At the same time, the transport and logistics sector is one of the main priorities of bilateral cooperation. The projects implemented in this field are of strategic importance for our countries and a wider geography.
Furthermore, the importance of continuing joint activities in the direction of expanding increasing cargo flows and developing transit opportunities was noted.
In conclusion, the deputy stated that the visit of the President of Turkmenistan to our country and the new documents signed were of great importance in terms of expanding cooperation. As the high guest noted, the President of Azerbaijan has great services in strengthening bilateral relations. Undoubtedly, Serdar Berdimuhamedov was absolutely right in his opinion. Because President Ilham Aliyev works actively for the development of the Turkic world as a whole, and the achievements obtained clearly confirm this.
It is precisely because of this that the relations between brotherly countries are gaining new content and the strategic partnership is further strengthening.