An extraordinary meeting of the Turkic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) was held on November 2 with the organizational support of the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) of Azerbaijan. Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov, President of the Turkic Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) Mustafa Rifat, Secretary General of the Turkish Council Baghdad Amreyev, President of the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Mammad Musayev, National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan Adham Ikramov, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Kyrgyzstan Marat Sharshekeyev and other officials participated in the meeting.

In his introductory speech, President of the Turkic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) and TOBB Mustafa Rifat said that Azerbaijani lands are being liberated as a result of successful counter-offensive operations of the Azerbaijani Army led by President Ilham Aliyev. Saying that, ”We are ready to support Azerbaijan in all areas and are proud of Azerbaijan's fight for to liberation of the occupied territories," M.Rifat noted that Azerbaijan has great production, trade and logistics opportunities, and called on Turkic-speaking countries to use this potential more actively. According to him, Turkey has invested $20 billion in Turkic-speaking countries, and successful joint projects will be launched in the near future.

Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov first expressed his condolences on the victims of the earthquake in the Aegean region of Turkey and wished the injured a fast recovery. The Minister also wished God's mercy to the martyrs who died heroically in the battles for the liberation of Azerbaijani lands and healing to the injured soldiers.

Continuing his speech, the Minister said that despite Azerbaijan's efforts to achieve sustainable development in the region and its significant achievements, Armenia's aggressive policy against our country creates serious obstacles to expanding regional economic cooperation and limits the full use of economic potential. Participants were informed about Armenia's new provocations against Azerbaijan on September 27 this year, terrorist and war crimes committed by firing on innocent civilians and civilian objects with artillery and missile systems, and attempts to damage pipelines that play an important role in Europe's energy security.

In the face of successful counter-offensive operations by the victorious Azerbaijani Army, the enemy retreated rapidly. Nevertheless they continue violating the norms and principles of international law, the Geneva Conventions, UN Security Council resolutions, deliberately targeting Azerbaijani civilians in densely populated areas and destroying Azerbaijani cities far from the region. "I must say that the operations carried out by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces to restore the territorial integrity of our country and ensure the security of the civilian population are in full compliance with the norms and principles of international law. Today, Azerbaijan conducts operations on its territory, not on the territory of any state, and targets only legitimate military facilities.

In this regard, I express my deep gratitude to the Turkic Council and Mr. Amreyev, for your continued support of Azerbaijan's fair position, and express my deep gratitude for the moral support provided by the member countries. These days, Turkey demonstrates special support to Azerbaijan, both on international platforms and in political and bilateral relations. Taking this opportunity, I express my deep gratitude to the Turkic community and brotherly Turkey for the high value given to our brotherhood at a time of vital importance to us,” said Jabbarov.

The Minister noted that Azerbaijan, a member of the Turkic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is actively involved in regional connectivity projects such as East-West, North-South and North-West transport corridors, and has become one of the most important and reliable transport and logistics centers in Eurasia. The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway and the Baku International Sea Trade Port  operates with a capacity of 25 million tons. According to the "Global Competitiveness Index" published by the World Economic Forum for 2019, Azerbaijan ranks 11th among 141 countries in terms of efficiency of railway services, 12th in terms of air transport services, 25th in terms of seaport services and 27th place for the quality of road infrastructure.

In order to stimulate investment, the state has established logistics centers and industrial zones that provide opportunities to operate on preferential terms. In Azerbaijan, foreign investment is treated on equal terms with local investment, and investment activities are guaranteed by the state. The Minister said that a Unified Action Plan has been prepared for the reconstruction of the liberated territories and Azerbaijan is ready to cooperate with the member countries of the Turkic Chamber of Commerce and Industry in this area.

Secretary General of the Turkic Council Baghdad Amreyev said that important work had been done to expand cooperation between TCCI member countries. Business forums have been held in the member states to establish contacts between businessmen representing the private sector, and success have been achieved in opening trade houses. Noting that the Turkic Council will also use its opportunities to increase mutual investment between our countries, Amreyev stressed that the Turkic business world stands by Azerbaijan in its fight for the right cause.

Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Ramiz Hasanov reported that Armenia uses cluster bombs against civilians in regions far from the war zone, which is  considered to be a war crime. During the occupation of Azerbaijani lands, Armenia plundered our wealth and caused great damage to the state and civilian population. "Work has already begun on the reconstruction of our liberated territories, and we are pleased with the participation of friendly and brotherly Turkic-speaking countries in our future activities in this direction," mentioned R.Hasanov.

President of the Confederation of Entrepreneurs of Azerbaijan Mammad Musayev noted that President Ilham Aliyev has implemented large-scale economic reforms in Azerbaijan in recent years. According to him, the main purpose of these reforms is to ensure the diversification of the country's economy, create new jobs, further improve the welfare of the population, strengthen the economic potential of our country. It was noted that the Azerbaijani state is improving the structure of its economy and promoting the investment climate. M.Musayev said that adequate steps have been taken in Azerbaijan to combat the coronavirus. In order to reduce the impact of the pandemic on the economy, the state provides great support to economic entities affected by the pandemic. Musayev stressed that the existing economic instruments for the protection of Azerbaijan's foreign exchange reserves and macroeconomic stability have created a stable basis for the economic development of our country. All this creates favorable conditions for member countries of the Turkic Chamber of Commerce and Industry to make mutual investments. M.Musayev said that the activities of the Turkic Chamber of Commerce and Industry is a new and powerful mechanism for expanding trade and investment cooperation between Turkic-speaking countries. It is aimed at expanding economic ties and investment opportunities between the countries and increasing trade turnover. "We would like the member states of the Turkic Chamber of Commerce and Industry to reconsider  new investment opportunities and join joint activities in Azerbaijan. We would be very pleased if our brothers work here,” noted the President of National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers).

Other speakers spoke about the role of the Turkic Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the development of economic relations between the Turkic-speaking countries, and the measures taken in this direction.

At the end of the event, a statement on "A new era of social and economic development of Azerbaijan" was adopted on behalf of the participants of the extraordinary meeting of the Turkic Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The event ended with the Turkic Chamber of Commerce and Industry sending humanitarian aid to the civilian population living in the frontline of Azerbaijan and affected by the Armenian military aggression.