President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev holds talks in Turkmenistan ahead of trilateral energy summit

The Azerbaijan State News Agency

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev has begun high-level talks in Turkmenistan aimed at boosting regional energy, trade and transit links, ahead of a trilateral summit with Uzbekistan.

President Aliyev arrived in Turkmenbashi on Friday for a working visit at the invitation of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty. He was welcomed at Turkmenbashi International Airport by Deputy Prime Minister Nokerguly Atagulyev and other senior officials.

Talks began with a private meeting between President Aliyev and Mr Berdimuhamedov, followed by expanded discussions involving senior figures from both governments. The Azerbaijani delegation includes officials from foreign affairs, economy, security and border services, underscoring the breadth of issues under review.

The leaders are focusing on energy cooperation, transit and logistics, and regional connectivity—areas where both countries have deep strategic interests. A key topic is expected to be progress on the joint development of the “Dostlug” hydrocarbon field in the Caspian Sea, first agreed in a 2021 memorandum. The field is believed to hold significant natural gas reserves.

A trilateral summit involving Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev is also expected during the visit, in a format aimed at strengthening cooperation across Central Asia’s main east-west transit corridors and exploring new routes for energy exports.

The meetings are being held in Awaza, a fast-developing coastal district that is emerging as a centre for regional diplomacy.

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