Türkiye hosts 10th trilateral meeting with Azerbaijan, Georgia

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will host the 10th Türkiye-Azerbaijan-Georgia Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Istanbul on Monday, bringing together Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Georgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili, diplomatic sources said on Sunday. The gathering marks the latest high-level engagement between the three South Caucasus neighbors, who cooperate closely on initiatives linking Europe and Asia.

Regional cooperation agenda

The ministers are expected to review current cooperation and explore future collaboration in areas including regional transit networks, energy security and foreign policy coordination. Fidan will emphasize the rising importance of the Middle Corridor in connecting Europe and Asia, particularly through the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway Line, while addressing the need to expand logistics networks and increase transport capacity, according to the sources. Strategic energy projects that contribute to regional energy security will also feature prominently in the discussions.

Geopolitical context

Fidan is expected to underline that lasting peace and normalization in the South Caucasus remain strategically vital for regional prosperity, noting that the Russia-Ukraine war continues to pose risks to the broader region including the Black Sea. He will call for continued support for diplomatic efforts to end the conflict through a just and lasting peace, while stressing that Ankara’s comprehensive ties with Baku and Tbilisi play a key role in advancing stability amid economic vulnerability and security challenges.

Trilateral mechanism

The trilateral foreign ministers’ meetings were inaugurated in Trabzon on June 8, 2012, to institutionalize political dialogue and deepen regional cooperation, with the most recent gathering held in Baku on March 15, 2024. Over nearly 14 years, the mechanism has focused on shared interests including regional infrastructure projects, with the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway and Middle Corridor serving as key pillars of the partnership. Situated along a strategic corridor, Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Georgia have maintained continuous cooperation to promote economic integration and prosperity across the South Caucasus.