On 29 January, the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan, Turkey and Uzbekistan held their second trilateral meeting in Ankara, where they signed the Ankara Declaration, a strategic document aimed at enhancing regional cooperation in the fields of economy, energy and transport.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan described the agreement as an important step in developing the trilateral partnership. "This declaration is not just a document, it is a commitment to deepen our cooperation, solve regional problems and benefit from common opportunities," Fidan said at a joint press conference. The declaration includes a joint action plan for future cooperation and a roadmap for transport cooperation, focusing on expanding links across the Caspian, Black and Mediterranean Seas.

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov stressed the importance of the declaration in boosting regional trade. He highlighted that the restoration of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity opens new avenues for cooperation, in particular through the Middle Corridor, which now passes through liberated territories. Mr Bayramov also discussed energy diversification, in particular renewable energy projects, and humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, stressing the importance of the Trans-Afghan Railway project, which could increase trade between Central and South Asia.

In addition to economic and infrastructure cooperation, the ministers discussed key geopolitical issues, including the ongoing crisis in Gaza and the situation in Syria. Bayramov reiterated Azerbaijan's support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the importance of maintaining the recent ceasefire in Gaza. "Azerbaijan is in favour of a peaceful and just solution based on international law," Bayramov said.
On Syria, Bayramov suggested that improved stability in the country could provide new opportunities for economic cooperation, saying that "if positive processes continue, Syria could become a new platform for cooperation between our countries".

The summit also featured the Turkey-Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Trade and Investment Business Forum, where Azerbaijani Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov stressed the need to deepen trade and investment partnerships between the three nations.