Turkey Aims to Sign a Free Trade Agreement with Azerbaijan

Turkey is seeking to move toward a free trade regime with Azerbaijan, marking the next step in strengthening the strategic economic partnership between the two countries.

The announcement was made by Turkey’s Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat on December 23 during a major investment forum in Baku. Speaking to journalists, Bolat said Ankara is determined to reach far more ambitious targets in bilateral economic and trade relations.

“We are fully focused on achieving much higher goals in economic and trade cooperation between Turkey and Azerbaijan,” Bolat stated.

From Preferential to Free Trade

The minister highlighted the positive impact of the Preferential Trade Agreement that came into force in 2021, noting that it has already delivered tangible results. As a next step, Turkey is aiming to conclude a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Azerbaijan. According to Bolat, technical teams from both governments are currently holding consultations and conducting the necessary economic assessments.

Expanding the Economic Framework

The statement came shortly after Turkey and Azerbaijan signed the protocol of the 12th Meeting of the Joint Economic Commission. The document includes a 110-point action plan covering key areas such as:

• Energy
• Trade
• Investment
• Tourism

The protocol was signed in Baku by Turkey’s Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz and Azerbaijan’s Prime Minister Ali Asadov.

A Strategic Alliance for the Turkic World

Commenting on the broader context, Yılmaz recalled the Shusha Declaration, signed by Presidents Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Ilham Aliyev in June 2021, which elevated bilateral relations to the level of a strategic alliance. He emphasized that current cooperation aims not only at bilateral prosperity but also at strengthening the economic well-being of the wider Turkic world.

In this regard, Yılmaz underlined the importance of enhanced cooperation within the Organization of Turkic States, noting that recent meetings have helped establish a clear roadmap for turning political commitments into concrete economic outcomes.

Analyst Note: The conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement would represent a significant deepening of economic integration between the two strategic allies, building upon the foundational 2021 Shusha Declaration.