The first-ever Azerbaijan-Türkiye Think Tank Forum, organized by the Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center), was held in the city of Shusha on November 24, 2025.
The Forum brought together the heads of leading think tanks and researchers from both countries. Prospects for cooperation in regional security, foreign policy, economic integration, transport and communications, and energy were among the major points of discussion.

The Forum began with a minute of silence in memory of the Azerbaijani martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country, as well as the Turkish heroes who lost their lives in the fight against terrorism.

The event opened with remarks by AIR Center Chairman Farid Shafiyev and the Head of the Strategic Research Center of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye (SAM), Polat Safi. Their speeches highlighted the importance of strengthening the institutional foundations and constructive role of the Azerbaijan-Türkiye strategic alliance in light of the new realities emerging in the region.

Farid Shafiyev emphasized that the Azerbaijan-Türkiye Think Tank Forum is the first initiative of its kind to be organized in a structured and institutionalized manner.
“Azerbaijan-Türkiye political cooperation is exemplary. Experts from Central Asian countries also refer to this example. We must work even more closely with Türkiye in a number of areas and coordinate our activities. The situation in the South Caucasus, the normalization process with Armenia, and cooperation within the Turkic world remain the main issues on the agenda of both countries. I would like to emphasize that the current stage of relations with Armenia is shaped by the peace agenda advanced by Azerbaijan. New opportunities are also emerging with regard to Central Asia. Recently, Azerbaijan has become a full-fledged member of the Central Asian consultative meetings format. Considering the pressure from external forces on these countries and the intentional spread of fake news, I believe that we must also coordinate our activities in this sphere. Our policy in the Middle East is likewise being carried out in close coordination with Türkiye.”

Polat Safi, in turn, stated that cooperation between Azerbaijan and Türkiye has reached an exemplary level not only in bilateral relations but also in terms of regional stability. He emphasized that Azerbaijan-Türkiye relations have been elevated to the level of a strategic alliance:

“Obviously, Türkiye-Azerbaijan relations, grounded in mutual trust, solidarity, and brotherhood under the principle of "one nation, two states," have been elevated to the level of a strategic alliance through the political will of our presidents and the historic Shusha Declaration. With concrete achievements across key areas, from energy to transport, and from defense to cultural cooperation, our collaboration has reached a model stage not only in the bilateral dimension but also in contributing to regional stability.

In this context, the strategic and multidimensional nature of Türkiye-Azerbaijan relations is reflected not only in the ongoing intensive high-level reciprocal visits, but also in the contacts and cooperation carried out at various institutional levels.”

The Forum then continued with panel sessions addressing the following key themes: “Main Trends in the Foreign Policies of Azerbaijan and Türkiye and Opportunities for Cooperation,” “Deepening Azerbaijan-Türkiye Cooperation: Integration Prospects within the Organization of Turkic States (OTS),” and “Transport, Communication, and Energy Partnership Dimensions in Azerbaijan-Türkiye Cooperation.”

Session I, moderated by Orkhan Amashov, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of AnewZ , featured presentations by SETA Program Director Muhittin Ataman, Center for Middle Eastern Studies (ORSAM) Kadir Temiz, President of the Center for Iranian Studies (IRAM) Sarhan Afacan, Mehmet Seyfettin Erol, President of the Ankara Center for Crisis and Political Studies (ANKASAM), and AIR Center Board Member Javid Valiyev.

The panel examined key challenges facing the foreign policies of both countries, along with potential risks ahead. Discussions focused on regional security, energy cooperation, geopolitical developments, and the future prospects of their strategic partnership.

Session II, moderated by AIR Center Board Member Javid Valiyev, included contributions from Zahid Oruj, Chairman of the Board of the Social Research Center, Esma Ozdasli, Director of the Ismayil Gaspirali Institute of Foreign Policy, Yashar Sari, Director of the Heydar Aliyev Eurasian Studies Center of Ibn Khaldun University, Farhad Mammadov, Director of the Center for Studies of the South Caucasus (CSSC) and Turhan Dilmach, Head of the Department of the Center for Strategic Studies of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye.

This session focused on strengthening integration within the OTS and the broader regional security architecture.

Session III, moderated by Ravan Hasanov, Executive Director of the Baku International Multiculturalism Center (BIMC), featured presentations by Ramil Huseyn, Deputy Executive Director of the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication (CAERC), Enes Bayraklı, Vice President of the Türkiye Research Foundation, Araz Aslanli, Chairman of the Caucasus Center for International Relations and Strategic Studies (QAFSAM), and Telman Nusratoghlu Guliyev, Head of the Department of History and Archaeology at Khazar University.

The panel addressed the role of the two brotherly countries in shaping the regional logistics map, energy security, transport corridors, and the strategic importance of communication projects. Particular emphasis was placed on the opportunities presented by the Zangezur Corridor, the significance of TANAP and other energy initiatives, and the sustainable development of the region.

The event concluded with closed discussions.