Ankara, July 06, 2025 – The Europe Today: President of the Republic of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, described the 17th Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit held in the liberated city of Khankendi, Azerbaijan, as a moment of particular significance for Türkiye and the broader region. Speaking to journalists following the summit, Erdoğan emphasized the symbolic and strategic value of the event and Türkiye’s commitment to strengthening regional ties and economic integration.
Highlighting the presence of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Ersin Tatar at the summit, Erdoğan said, “The holding of the ECO Summit in Khankendi, along with the participation of President Tatar, turned this event into a meaningful milestone for Türkiye.”
He reaffirmed Türkiye’s role as a founding member of ECO, a platform uniting countries with a collective population of over 500 million across 8 million square kilometers. “The geopolitical positioning of ECO member states makes this organization vital for advancing interstate cooperation,” Erdoğan stated, adding, “The ECO nations are bound by shared values and historical brotherhood. There is a mutual aspiration for strong economic and trade partnerships.”
Reflecting on his recent visit to Azerbaijan on May 28 — the country’s Independence Day — President Erdoğan recalled inaugurating Lachin International Airport with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, describing it as another testament to the strong Türkiye-Azerbaijan alliance.
“In Khankendi, the messages conveyed once again highlighted our collective commitment to peace, stability, and development,” Erdoğan remarked. “Our visit underlined Türkiye’s unwavering solidarity with Azerbaijan and our shared belief in deeper engagement within the ECO framework.”
On the evolving Türkiye-Azerbaijan partnership, President Erdoğan stressed the enduring nature of their alliance: “Türkiye and Azerbaijan are not merely friendly states. We are one nation with two states. This is not just a slogan — it is a reality grounded in action, unity, and resilience.”
Erdoğan also touched on broader regional dynamics, particularly the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia. He revealed that the final text of a peace agreement was recently agreed upon following negotiations held in Brussels, Moscow, and Tbilisi in late 2024.
“Armenia, which initially opposed the Zangezur corridor, is now showing flexibility and seeks to participate in regional economic integration,” he noted. “This development represents not only a strategic opportunity for Azerbaijan but also for Armenia, Türkiye, Iran, and other countries.”
Describing the Zangezur corridor as a critical piece in a wider “geopolitical and geoeconomic revolution,” Erdoğan said: “Its opening will redefine regional connectivity, especially through the Middle Corridor, enabling Turkish goods to reach Central Asia and China more efficiently. This corridor will enhance road and rail logistics, spur investment in Karabakh, and accelerate regional development.”
Commenting on tensions involving Russian security forces in Yekaterinburg and their impact on relations between Russia and Azerbaijan, President Erdoğan urged restraint: “We are closely monitoring the situation. Türkiye enjoys strong diplomatic and strategic ties with both Baku and Moscow. It is vital that tensions remain within acceptable bounds and that diplomacy prevails.”
He stressed Ankara’s role in encouraging calm and constructive dialogue. “President Ilham Aliyev is taking cautious and measured steps. He does not want an escalation. We are supporting these efforts and remain hopeful that the issue will be resolved diplomatically,” Erdoğan affirmed.
The Turkish leader concluded by emphasizing the transformative potential of peace in the South Caucasus: “The peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia will reshape the regional landscape and unlock long-overdue cooperation. Our priority is to prevent any further instability in a region that has suffered enough.”
President Erdoğan’s statements reiterated Türkiye’s proactive and stabilizing role in fostering regional peace, connectivity, and prosperity, especially under the ECO framework.
