OMM Newsroom
Billions of dollars invested by Azerbaijan in Türkiye’s economy, major projects awarded to Turkish companies in Garabagh and the future of economic ties between the two countries are once again under discussion. The key question is whether brotherly relations with Türkiye place additional financial obligations on Azerbaijan.
“Operativ Məlumat Mərkəzi-OMM” reports that Azerbaijan and Türkiye have developed a strategic partnership across political, military and economic fields for many years. However, remarks about Azerbaijan voiced in some Turkish political and media circles have raised questions about the extent to which economic cooperation between the two countries is based on mutual benefit.
In particular, views that highlight Türkiye’s role in Azerbaijan’s 2020 victory in the Patriotic War and claim that Baku owes Ankara a moral and economic debt have prompted debate.
Azerbaijan, however, has offered Türkiye more than political partnership. Baku has invested billions of dollars in the country’s economy, provided extensive humanitarian assistance during emergencies and enabled Turkish companies to carry out major projects in Garabagh.
Türkiye received $15 billion in support from Qatar
Türkiye’s reliance on external financial resources is not new.
In 2018, when the Turkish lira depreciated sharply and the country faced serious economic difficulties, Qatar announced it was ready to provide Türkiye with a $15 billion investment package.
That year, the two countries’ central banks signed a currency swap agreement. In 2020, the size of the arrangement was increased to the equivalent of $15 billion.
The measures were intended to support financial stability in Türkiye’s economy. However, the funds were not grants; they were resources provided through investment and reciprocal financial commitments.
How much has Azerbaijan invested in Türkiye?
One notable aspect of economic relations between the two countries is the scale of Azerbaijan’s investments in Türkiye.
According to a statement issued by SOCAR Türkiye on June 4, 2026, the Azerbaijani company’s total investment in Türkiye has reached about $19.5 billion.
These investments have helped develop the STAR Refinery, the Petkim petrochemical complex, Petlim port infrastructure and other major industrial facilities in Türkiye.
The STAR Refinery alone represents an investment of about $6.3 billion. The facility meets around one-fifth of Türkiye’s demand for oil products.
These projects have helped create jobs, expand industrial production and reduce dependence on imports in Türkiye.
$5 billion in projects for Turkish companies in Garabagh
Azerbaijan’s contribution to Türkiye’s economy is not limited to direct investment.
On December 22, 2025, Prime Minister Ali Asadov said nearly 20 Turkish companies were participating in about 50 projects worth a total of around $5 billion in Azerbaijan’s liberated territories.
Türkiye’s Trade Minister Omer Bolat also said the total value of these projects exceeded $5 billion.
The projects involve the construction of roads, transport and energy infrastructure, engineering facilities and other strategic assets.
The $5 billion figure is the total value of the projects; it does not mean that the entire amount has already been paid to contractors.
Nevertheless, the contracts provide Turkish companies with long-term work and a source of economic revenue.
How much has Türkiye invested in Azerbaijan?
According to Azerbaijan’s Embassy in Ankara, Türkiye’s direct investment in Azerbaijan totaled $18.4 billion between 1995 and 2025.
Of that amount, $13.6 billion went to the oil and gas sector, while $4.8 billion was invested in other fields.
Thus, both countries play a significant role in each other’s investment ties. The sectors receiving investment are also particularly important.
One of Azerbaijan’s main priorities is to attract more Turkish capital to establish high-technology manufacturing, machine-building, industrial processing and export-oriented enterprises in the country.
Azerbaijan also helped Türkiye in difficult times
Alongside economic cooperation, Azerbaijan’s humanitarian support for Türkiye has also drawn attention.
During large-scale wildfires in Türkiye in 2021, Azerbaijan sent hundreds of rescuers and specialized equipment.
After the devastating earthquakes on February 6, 2023, Azerbaijan was among the first countries to provide assistance to Türkiye.
According to information President Ilham Aliyev shared on March 16 that year, Azerbaijan sent Türkiye:
- 940 specialists and volunteers;
- more than 5,320 tonnes of humanitarian aid;
- more than $45 million in financial assistance.
Azerbaijan also allocated about $100 million to build a residential complex for earthquake victims in Kahramanmarash.
On June 19, 2025, the presidents of Azerbaijan and Türkiye attended the opening of the residential complex.
Debate over the Garabagh victory: weapons were paid for
One of the most sensitive issues in discussions about relations between the two countries is Azerbaijan’s victory in the Patriotic War.
Türkiye provided important political support to Azerbaijan during the war. However, claims in some Turkish media and political circles that attribute Azerbaijan’s victory primarily to Turkish weapons have prompted debate.
In a statement on October 2, 2026, President Ilham Aliyev said Azerbaijan had bought weapons at world market prices and paid for them in full.
Under this position, arms purchases made under commercial contracts do not create a separate political or financial debt.
Although Türkiye’s political support is an important part of the strategic partnership between the two countries, the main military responsibility and losses in the liberation of Garabagh fell to the Azerbaijani Army.
What more can be expected from Baku?
The main discussion on the issue focuses on how Azerbaijan should develop its economic cooperation with Türkiye.
Azerbaijan’s establishment of major industrial facilities in Türkiye and its provision of opportunities for Turkish companies to take part in projects worth billions of dollars in Garabagh have brought the question of mutual economic benefit into sharper focus.
In this respect, the establishment of new industrial enterprises, increased technology investment, expanded domestic production and ensuring equal economic opportunities for both countries are seen as key priorities for future cooperation.
Ultimately, although the brotherly relations between Azerbaijan and Türkiye are based on mutual support, both countries have independent economic interests and state budgets.
The future of bilateral relations will depend not only on historical and political ties, but also on the real economic opportunities the two sides offer each other and the mutual benefits they provide.
