On October 9, a restricted-format meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of State was held in Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev addressed the meeting.
President Ilham Aliyev’s remarks:
— Dear Serdar Gurbangulyyevich,
Dear colleagues,
First, I would like to thank the President of Turkmenistan for the traditional hospitality.
I wish Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev great success during Uzbekistan’s chairmanship in 2027.
Every visit to Turkmenistan leaves a deep impression. It is clear how dynamically the country is developing, and the achievements of the people of brotherly Turkmenistan bring us genuine joy. Relations between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan are based on centuries-old ties of friendship and brotherhood and are characterized by strategic partnership.
We are pleased to note the frequent high-level contacts between our countries.
I visited Turkmenistan in August 2025. Last year, Gurbanguly Malikgulyyevich Berdimuhamedov, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, visited Azerbaijan twice, and in June this year, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Gurbangulyyevich Berdimuhamedov made a state visit to our country. These contacts gave further impetus to bilateral relations and created new opportunities to expand cooperation in many areas.
This year, the Commonwealth of Independent States marks its 35th anniversary. Over the years, the CIS has established itself as a necessary platform for sustaining political dialogue, developing mutually beneficial cooperation and strengthening ties among our countries.
Cooperation in the humanitarian sphere is one of the key areas. I would like to thank the heads of CIS states for supporting the decision to designate Lachin as the Commonwealth’s cultural capital. The large-scale events held in Lachin last year allowed our guests to learn more about the region’s rich and ancient history. They were also able to witness its rapid revival and the scale of the restoration work underway.
The successful hosting of the Third CIS Games in Azerbaijan became a landmark sporting event for the entire Commonwealth. The competitions took place in seven cities across our country. Thousands of athletes and guests from CIS member states and other countries spent 11 days in Azerbaijan, gaining a better understanding of our country and people. Initiatives on this scale go beyond sport. They serve as a strong bridge of friendship among peoples.
Thanks to its favorable geographical location, our country has built modern transport and logistics infrastructure practically from scratch. Azerbaijan continues to strengthen its position as one of the region’s main transport hubs, ensuring reliable transit along the North-South and East-West international corridors.
In the first half of 2026, transit cargo volumes passing through Azerbaijan increased by 10 percent to about 8 million tonnes. Our medium-term goal is to raise cargo volumes transiting Azerbaijan to 15 million tonnes in each direction along the East-West and North-South routes.
Dear colleagues, I would like to thank you for supporting Azerbaijan’s decision to co-chair the CIS in 2027. We see this as a sign of the high confidence placed in our country and are ready to take an active part in achieving our common goals. Azerbaijan is also ready to assume the CIS chairmanship in 2028 and host that year’s autumn meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of State.
Thank you for your attention.
A restricted-format meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of State was held in Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev addressed the meeting.
A restricted-format meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of State is being held in Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev addressed the meeting.
A restricted-format meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of State is being held in Turkmenbashi.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev is attending the meeting.
