The Turkish president is attending the 17th ECO Summit in Azerbaijan’s Karabakh region, reaffirming Türkiye’s commitment to regional economic and political cooperation.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has touched down in Azerbaijan to attend the 17th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), a key regional forum aimed at boosting economic ties among member states.
The summit is taking place in Khankendi, in Azerbaijan’s historic Karabakh region — a location that itself symbolizes a new era of regional dynamics. Erdogan on Friday first landed in Fuzuli before traveling to the host city, accompanied by a high-level delegation including Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Trade Minister Omer Bolat, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu, and Family and Social Services Minister Mahinur Ozdemir Göktas.
During the summit, Erdogan is expected to deliver a keynote address to leaders from the 10-member ECO bloc. The agenda will focus on strengthening cooperation in trade, energy, transport, and other critical sectors that bind the region together.
A strategic platform for a changing region
Founded in 1985 by Türkiye, Iran, and Pakistan, the ECO has evolved into a vibrant regional organization, welcoming Central Asian and South Caucasus countries after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Its summits have become important platforms for advancing economic integration, enhancing connectivity, and fostering political dialogue across Eurasia.
This year’s meeting comes at a time of heightened geopolitical focus on the South Caucasus. Azerbaijan’s complete restoration of control over Karabakh last year, after decades of conflict with Armenia, has opened a new chapter. Türkiye, a steadfast ally of Azerbaijan, has played a central role in supporting Baku’s post-conflict reconstruction and in driving forward strategic initiatives like the Middle Corridor project — a crucial trade route linking Asia and Europe.
Erdogan’s visit not only highlights Ankara’s enduring commitment to regional cooperation but also underscores the deepening strategic partnership between Türkiye and Azerbaijan, setting the stage for new opportunities in a rapidly evolving landscape.
