On March 5, at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Ankara for a working visit and participated in the inauguration ceremony of the Iğdır-Nakhchivan gas pipeline via video link from Ankara.

During the ceremony, President Aliyev emphasized that the pipeline, which transports Azerbaijani gas through Turkish territory to Nakhchivan, will ensure the region’s energy security. He stated that the project reflects the continued success of joint energy initiatives between Azerbaijan and Turkey, which have also facilitated major transportation projects, including the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway. Aliyev underscored the railway’s importance not only for Azerbaijan and Turkey but also for the broader region, particularly in uniting the Turkic world. He further noted that major projects like Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum, and TANAP have reshaped Eurasia’s energy landscape.

President Erdoğan, speaking on the significance of the Iğdır-Nakhchivan pipeline, shared that the 80-kilometer pipeline, built by BOTAŞ with a daily transport capacity of up to 2 million cubic meters, will serve Nakhchivan’s natural gas needs for at least 30 years, thereby strengthening regional energy security. Erdoğan also praised the close cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkey, stating that both countries are committed to regional peace, prosperity, and stability. He reiterated their strong bond under the motto "one nation, two states" and affirmed their shared commitment to implementing projects that benefit the region.

Expressing his pleasure in hosting Ilham Aliyev in Turkey, Erdoğan highlighted the continuously growing ties between the two nations, particularly in defense, trade, and energy. "We only want peace in our region, we want cooperation, and we want to develop together," Erdoğan stated, reaffirming his commitment to the future of their partnership.