Azerbaijan discusses strengthening cooperation at 28th ECO Foreign Ministers' meeting

On December 3, Azerbaijan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jeyhun Bayramov, delivered a speech at the 28th meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) during his working visit to Mashhad, Iran.

In his speech, Bayramov outlined Azerbaijan's views on enhancing cooperation within the ECO, particularly in the areas of institutional development, economic and trade relations, energy security, environmental protection, transport and communications, and connectivity. He emphasized the importance of the meeting in addressing the needs of the Organization and the progress made since the ECO meeting in Shusha on October 10, 2023.

Bayramov expressed gratitude to Iran for its chairmanship of the ECO in 2024 and for organizing the 28th Foreign Ministers' meeting. He also wished success to Kazakhstan, which will chair the Organization in the following year. He highlighted Azerbaijan's plans to host the ECO Summit next year and stressed the importance of active participation from all member states.

The minister emphasized the relevance of the "ECO Vision 2025" strategy, aimed at leveraging the existing economic potential among member states and addressing regional challenges. He also underscored the role of specialized ECO organizations, such as the ECO Research Center and the Clean Energy Center, in fostering cooperation in trade, investment, energy security, and environmental protection.

Bayramov highlighted critical regional transport initiatives, including the North-South Corridor, the East-West Trans-Caspian Middle Corridor, and the modernization of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway. He also mentioned regional infrastructure projects connecting Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic with the East Zangezur economic region through Iran.

The minister discussed the achievements of COP29, which Azerbaijan hosted in November, noting the significance of agreements such as the Baku Financial Goal in addressing climate change. He also emphasized the “Agreement on Strategic Partnership in the Field of Development and Transmission of Green Energy” signed at COP29, which he believes will contribute to regional economic development and energy security.

The meeting concluded with the adoption of the "Mashhad Communiqué," a final document outlining the outcomes of the meeting.