Bayramov discusses Zangezur Corridor in Ankara

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has attended and addressed the 13th Summit of the Council of Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in Ankara, the capital of Türkiye.

The Foreign Ministry told TodayPress TV about the visit.

At the beginning of his speech, Bayramov thanked the Turkish side for the high-level organisation of the summit and its hospitality. He also once again congratulated the people of Türkiye on the 103rd anniversary of the Republic.

Noting that “Regional Peace and Security” had been Azerbaijan’s main priority during its year-long chairmanship of the OTS, Bayramov stressed the importance of this agenda amid escalating international conflicts, growing security threats and violations of the norms and principles of international law.

He noted that Azerbaijan had fully restored its territorial integrity and sovereignty and brought the conflict to an end. He also recalled that the text of a peace agreement, drafted on the basis of principles proposed by Azerbaijan, had been initialled last year. He stressed that Armenia must take the necessary political and legal steps to enable the agreement to be signed.

Bayramov said large-scale reconstruction and development work was under way in the Karabakh and East Zangezur regions, with modern infrastructure being built. Around 100,000 people are now living, working and studying in these territories.

He also highlighted the meetings held during Azerbaijan’s OTS chairmanship, including gatherings of foreign ministers, secretaries of security councils and heads of defence industry institutions. He noted that a Cooperation Roadmap for the defence industry sector for 2027 had been adopted.

Expanding economic cooperation within the OTS was identified as another key priority. Bayramov said the development of the Middle Corridor, the implementation of the Zangezur Corridor, the expansion of transport connectivity, mutual investments and joint projects were creating new opportunities for cooperation in trade and industry.

He emphasised that Azerbaijan continued to play its role as a reliable supplier of traditional energy resources while also contributing to the development of green energy and digital connectivity between Central Asia and Europe.

During Azerbaijan’s chairmanship, meetings of the Council of Central Banks and heads of Financial Monitoring Services were also held in Baku, and a relevant cooperation platform was established.

Addressing the importance of preserving shared history, language and cultural heritage, Bayramov noted that Baku had hosted Turkic World Week this year, marking the centenary of the First Turkological Congress, as well as a meeting of the Council of Heads of Muslim Religious Administrations.

He highlighted the importance of the OTS+ format in strengthening the organisation’s international standing and stressed the need to continue efforts to secure observer status for the OTS at the UN General Assembly.

At the end of his speech, Bayramov thanked the member states for their support during Azerbaijan’s chairmanship and wished Türkiye success as it assumed the role.

He also expressed gratitude to outgoing Secretary-General Kubanychbek Omuraliev for his contribution to the organisation’s development, congratulated newly appointed Secretary-General Mirvokhid Azimov and wished him success in his new role.

The Ankara Declaration was adopted at the end of the summit.