Turkic Council governmental leaders meet in Bishkek to strengthen regional ties

The first-ever meeting of governmental leaders of the Turkic Council (TCT) was held in Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan on Thursday focusing on regional ties and cooperation.

Adylbek Kasymaliyev, the Chairman of the Kyrgyz Cabinet and Head of the Presidential Administration, welcomed the high-level heads of the delegations.

Azerbaijan’s Prime Minister Ali Asadov, Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, Kyrgyzstan’s Cabinet Chairman Adylbek Kasymaliyev, Turkey’s Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz, Uzbekistan’s Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, and TCT Secretary-General Kubanychbek Omuraliev attended the event in Kyrgyzstan's capital.

Discussions focused on cooperation within the TCT in areas including the economy, trade, investment, transport, digitalisation, energy, and agriculture. Implementation of previous decisions and improvements to the organisation’s working mechanisms was also on the agenda.

Azerbaijan’s Prime Minister Ali Asadov stressed that modern global challenges require closer cooperation and agile decision-making.

"Exchanging views within the TCT, aligning our positions, and developing joint approaches is of great importance. The consolidation of efforts among Turkic states is essential for stability, security and prosperity," Asadov said.

He added that mutually beneficial cooperation strengthens trade and economic ties, enhances economic potential, and diversifies transport corridors. Asadov also highlighted the 15th anniversary of the Nakhchivan Agreement, noting it marked the start of the TCT’s successful development.

He also mentioned that economic relations between Azerbaijan and other TCT member states continue to grow dynamically. Trade between January and July rose by more than 8%, and Azerbaijan’s investments in member states amount to nearly US$21 billion. Joint investment funds with several partners facilitate reciprocal investment in priority economic sectors.

He further noted that cooperation in the transport sector is expanding rapidly and contributes significantly to strengthening regional connectivity:

"The Middle Corridor passes through Turkic states and plays a strategic role in expanding both regional and global trade and transport links. The agreements recently reached in Washington to connect Azerbaijan’s mainland with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic are historically significant. The opening of the Zangazur Corridor creates new economic and transit opportunities for regional countries and enhances the carrying capacity of the Middle Corridor," Asadov explained.

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