How the 110-point Azerbaijan-Türkiye plan enhances both countries' partnership

How the 110-point Azerbaijan-Türkiye plan enhances both countries' partnership
Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev meet in Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan, 25 September, 2023
Reuters

The economic and political relationship between Azerbaijan and Türkiye has been on an upward trajectory, with both countries strengthening their ties through a broad spectrum of cooperation.

A key development in this growing partnership is the introduction of a comprehensive 110-point plan covering areas such as energy, trade, investments, and more.

To shed light on the significance of this plan and its impact on the relationship between the two nations, AnewZ’s Andi Mioč spoke with Hasan Erel, a Foreign Relations Expert at Atasam.

Erel provides an in-depth analysis of the plan and its implications, not just for Azerbaijan and Türkiye, but for the wider region.

Hasan Erel begins by emphasising the importance of the plan, noting, that "It's a very important plan."

He highlights the breadth of the plan, which spans various sectors: "So, it means from energy to trade to investment, to common projects, culture and education."

According to Erel, this extensive list of provisions signals a shift in the nature of the relationship between the two countries:

"It means that Türkiye and Azerbaijan will be really broader states. I mean not only two same origin states or neighbouring states, but now Türkiye and Azerbaijan is becoming a territorial partnership."

Erel further explains that the partnership is not limited to just geographical proximity or shared cultural heritage. Instead, it represents a deeper and more expansive collaboration.

"It's not only territorial, not only the gate for the Caspian or gate for Asia to Europe. It means that Türkiye and Azerbaijan and maybe the other Turkic states in the future, you know, the organisation of Turkic states are also coming closer now."

This reflects a growing geopolitical alliance that could extend beyond Azerbaijan and Türkiye to include other Turkic nations, highlighting the broader regional significance of this partnership.

Despite the positive developments, Erel is quick to point out that there are important geopolitical considerations.

He references the Shusha declaration, signed four years ago after Azerbaijan's victory in Karabakh, which he describes as primarily focused on military and defence cooperation: "I think this (Shusha declaration) plan, or the declaration, was mostly about defence and military cooperation."

The 110-point plan between Azerbaijan and Türkiye marks a new chapter in their evolving relationship. This wide-ranging agreement not only strengthens ties but also paves the way for deeper geopolitical collaboration.

As both countries continue to build on their friendship and partnership, the implications of this plan may extend to other Turkic states, reshaping the regional dynamics.

While there is much optimism surrounding the partnership, important geopolitical considerations, such as military cooperation, remain central to the ongoing collaboration.

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