Turkey and Azerbaijan reaffirmed their energy cooperation Thursday at a forum in the western Turkish province of Izmir, attended by top officials from both countries, Daily Sabah reports.

The 4th Turkey-Azerbaijan Energy Forum was held within the framework of the Turkey Wind Energy Congress (TUREK 2025), taking place between Thursday and Friday.

Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said Turkey and Azerbaijan, with their geostrategic locations, rich resources and advanced infrastructure, play complementary roles and make significant contributions to regional and global energy supply security.

Bayraktar said diversifying and deepening cooperation opportunities between the two countries would open new horizons, including projects supplying natural gas to Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan exclave and deliveries to Syria.

“The principle of one nation, two states, which we have always emphasized, finds its most concrete manifestation particularly with the major projects implemented in the energy sector. Energy is one of the fundamental drivers of our countries’ development and prosperity,” Bayraktar said.

He highlighted the importance of the natural gas field cooperation agreement signed May 14, 2024, saying the deal would strengthen the countries’ energy security and further consolidate regional cooperation.

Bayraktar voiced hope that efforts to increase natural gas supplies from Azerbaijan to Turkey would progress rapidly, noting that the Igdir-Nakhchivan Natural Gas Pipeline guarantees supply security for Nakhchivan and further strengthens bilateral ties.

Also speaking at the forum, Mukhtar Babayev, representative of the president of Azerbaijan for climate affairs and COP29 president, said Azerbaijan and Turkey “have always been responsible partners in the global energy system and have played a significant role in ensuring global energy security.”

Azerbaijan’s Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov emphasized the importance of Turkey’s experience and support in renewable energy, energy storage, green hydrogen, carbon capture, energy efficiency, and energy market regulation.

“A strong Azerbaijan-Turkey energy partnership is a strategic necessity because it is of great importance for both our countries, our region and internationally. This unity is a symbol of security and sustainable development,” Shahbazov said.

Following the speeches, Bayraktar and Shahbazov signed the forum protocol, which outlines plans to develop bilateral energy cooperation.

Under the protocol, the two countries agreed to strengthen and continue cooperation and coordination in global and regional energy organizations and institutions.