Politics · Turkey · 6 hrs ago
Türkiye and Azerbaijan mark 35 years of independence with deeper economic ties in view
Azerbaijan re-declared its independence on 18 October 1991, and Türkiye was the first country to recognise it.
The two countries’ relationship has grown from shared identity and political ties into an economic partnership, the author says.
Investments flow in both directions: Azerbaijan has invested more than $20 billion in Türkiye, while 5,800 Turkish companies have invested $12 billion in Azerbaijan.
Energy pipelines and rail links have connected the countries, and new transport links are planned, including a railway between Kars and Dilucu and the Zangezur Corridor.
The author argues that the next step should be a lasting economic integration, extending cooperation in areas such as digital business, green energy and food security.
The piece also proposes joint work in other countries and in Syria’s reconstruction, while saying a completed railway would give the two countries a more direct route to Europe.
Türkiye was the first country to recognize Azerbaijan after it re-declared independence on 18 October 1991.
The countries’ economic ties now include energy, transport, industry and billions of dollars in mutual investment, according to Selçuk Akat.
Akat says the next step should be to turn the partnership into lasting economic integration.
He points to infrastructure projects including the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, TANAP and the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway.
Akat also highlights potential cooperation in third countries, Syria’s reconstruction and new energy projects.
- Who
- Türkiye and Azerbaijan, with Selçuk Akat discussing their economic partnership.
- What
- The countries are marking 35 years of Azerbaijan’s independence, with a focus on deepening economic ties.
- When
- The anniversary is 18 October 2026; the article was published on 16 October 2026.
- Where
- Türkiye and Azerbaijan.
- Why
- Akat argues that the countries should build on their existing economic ties and move towards lasting integration.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Azerbaijan re-declared its independence.
The Türkiye-Azerbaijan Business Council was established.
Türkiye and Azerbaijan signed the Shusha Declaration.
Azerbaijani gas began reaching Syria through Kilis.
Azerbaijan’s 35th anniversary of its re-declared independence.
- Azerbaijan’s independence re-declared
- 18 October 1991
- Azerbaijani investment in Türkiye
- More than $20 billion
- Turkish investment in Azerbaijan
- $12 billion by 5,800 companies
- Türkiye-Azerbaijan Business Council established
- 3 November 1991
- Syria gas route
- Azerbaijani gas supplied through Kilis since August 2025
What people are saying
tek millet, iki devlet
Tek ekonomi