Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday described the trilateral cooperation mechanism between Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Georgia as a guarantor of peace and stability in the South Caucasus, highlighting the growing importance of the Middle Corridor as a strategic link connecting Europe and Asia.

Speaking at a joint news conference following a trilateral meeting of foreign ministers in Istanbul, Fidan said the platform had become an important vehicle for advancing regional cooperation, connectivity and economic development at a time of increasing geopolitical uncertainty.

"The Middle Corridor has become one of the strategic backbones of our trilateral cooperation,” Fidan said, referring to the trade and transportation route stretching across the South Caucasus and Central Asia.

The corridor spans from China’s Lianyungang province through Kazakhstan, across the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan and Georgia, before reaching Türkiye. It is increasingly seen as an alternative to Russia-dependent routes and traditional maritime pathways, which face rising costs and security pressures.

Fidan said the cooperation mechanism serves not only the common interests of the three countries but also contributes to peace, stability and sustainable prosperity across the wider region.

"We view this mechanism as one of the guarantees of peace, stability and sustainable prosperity in the South Caucasus,” he said.

The foreign minister noted that the world is experiencing a period marked by simultaneous geopolitical crises, rising economic uncertainty and growing concerns over energy security.

"In such a period, the environment of peace and cooperation we have established in our region represents genuine strategic value,” Fidan said.

He argued that the partnership among Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Georgia contributes to stability, connectivity and energy supply security across a vast geography extending from Europe to Asia.

Energy cooperation remains a central pillar of the trilateral relationship, Fidan said, emphasizing that major infrastructure projects developed jointly by the three countries have helped minimize the impact of global energy disruptions.

"Access to energy at reasonable costs and without interruption has become a vital issue for the entire world,” he said.

Fidan said the next objective is to create a more integrated region through expanded energy, transportation and communications infrastructure, a move he said would provide a safer, faster and more predictable transit route between Europe and Asia.

As part of those efforts, he highlighted the strategic importance of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, a key transportation corridor linking the three countries. He described a ceremony held on June 2 on the Georgian section of the railway line as an important milestone toward achieving full operational capacity.

"We aim to maximize the benefits of this strategic route and generate greater added value for our region,” Fidan said.

The Turkish foreign minister also stressed that regional prosperity depends on stronger connectivity and cooperation, arguing that economic integration can reinforce peace while peace itself creates conditions for deeper regional partnerships.

Azerbaijan, Armenia peace

The ministers also discussed efforts to establish lasting peace in the South Caucasus, particularly ongoing negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Fidan said Türkiye supports the normalization process between Armenia and Azerbaijan and hopes a peace agreement can be signed without delay.

"The will demonstrated by the parties has opened a concrete window of opportunity for our region,” he said.

He added that Türkiye’s own normalization process with Armenia continues in close coordination with Azerbaijan.

The year 2025 marked a period of intensified engagement between the two former Soviet nations, with contacts expanding from political dialogue to confidence-building measures on the ground.

A major breakthrough came on Aug. 8, when Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met in Washington under U.S. mediation and signed a joint declaration reaffirming their commitment to ending decades of conflict. On the same occasion, the foreign ministers of both countries initialed a peace agreement, underscoring a shared determination to advance toward full normalization.

According to Fidan, the strengthening of peace would accelerate connectivity projects throughout the region, while enhanced connectivity would help solidify the social and economic foundations of peace.

"This cycle serves the common interests of the entire region,” he said.

Despite positive developments in the South Caucasus, Fidan warned that the broader regional security environment continues to face serious risks.

Among the issues discussed during the meeting were ongoing diplomatic efforts between Iran and the United States. Fidan said ending the conflict that has threatened regional and global stability remains essential and reiterated Türkiye’s support for diplomacy and dialogue.

"Türkiye will continue to support diplomacy and dialogue during this critical period,” he underlined.

The foreign minister also addressed the Russia-Ukraine war, describing a peaceful resolution as crucial for regional stability and security. He said Ankara remains concerned about the current deadlock both on the battlefield and in diplomatic negotiations.

"The steps taken by the parties to improve their positions have unfortunately increased tensions on the ground,” Fidan said

He pointed to recent attacks in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov as examples of the dangers posed by continued escalation.

Fidan also expressed condolences to Azerbaijan over recent casualties linked to regional tensions, extending his sympathies to Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and the Azerbaijani people.

Concluding the meeting, Fidan said the three countries had reaffirmed their shared vision for the future of the South Caucasus and their commitment to deepening cooperation.

"The stronger cooperation among our countries becomes, the safer, more prosperous and more stable the South Caucasus will be,” he said.