Lachin Summit of brotherly nations The voice of a new centre of power

Today, on May 28 – Independence Day – a momentous event took place. The leaders of three brotherly countries – Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Pakistan – gathered in Lachin to hold a trilateral summit.

Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Lachin the day before. During a closed-door meeting between President Ilham Aliyev and Shehbaz Sharif, the two sides held a thorough exchange of views on expanding trade and economic ties between Azerbaijan and Pakistan, as well as cooperation in the fields of science, education, and high technology.

This morning, the presidential aircraft carrying Recep Tayyip Erdoğan landed in Lachin. The Turkish leader was welcomed by Ilham Aliyev, after which the two presidents took part in the official inauguration ceremony of the Lachin International Airport.

And finally, in the afternoon, a trilateral summit was held with the participation of the heads of state. It is important to note that this meeting is not the first of its kind but a continuation of the tradition established in the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana, on July 3, 2024, during the 24th SCO Summit.

At that time, it was particularly emphasised that Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Pakistan are united by historical and religious roots, as well as fraternal ties. It was noted that the countries consistently support each other within international organisations, and the importance of continuing this solidarity in the future was underscored.

The statements made by the leaders of the three countries at today’s meeting were likewise filled with determination to further strengthen the bonds of brotherhood between the three nations.

Opening the summit, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said: “We once again express gratitude for the political and moral support of Türkiye and Pakistan from the first days of the 44-day Patriotic War in 2020. Azerbaijan, in turn, has always stood by Türkiye and Pakistan. Today, we once again reaffirm the unity of our peoples.” In his address, Aliyev also underscored the importance of trilateral cooperation in the field of defence.

President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan described Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan as “brotherly countries whose relations are developing on the basis of mutual respect.” “Our states share common ideals,” Erdoğan emphasised, noting that the combined population of the three countries reaches 350 million people, with a total GDP of $1.5 trillion.

Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif thanked Ilham Aliyev and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for their support of Pakistan in its conflict with India. “The modern world faces serious challenges – economic crises, political upheavals. In such circumstances, Pakistan is fortunate to have brothers like Azerbaijan and Türkiye. You stood firmly behind us. We will always prioritise peace and justice. Our time-tested relations will continue to serve the well-being of our peoples. This meeting provides us with a political imperative and a platform to move forward in areas of mutual interest,” he noted.

It is deeply symbolic that the meeting of the leaders of the three brotherly countries is taking place in a location which, for nearly three decades of occupation, served as the main communication route between the occupied territories and Armenia, the occupying force, and where uninvited guests from third countries also used to arrive.

However, Baku’s consistent and resolute policy led to a turning point: on April 23, 2023, a border checkpoint was established in the Lachin district on the de facto border with Armenia, and later, on September 23 of the same year, as a result of a brilliant one-day anti-terrorist operation, Azerbaijan fully restored its sovereignty. The remnants of the occupying army fled to Armenia through the very same Lachin checkpoint.

Thus, Lachin — once a symbol of occupation — has been transformed into a symbol of liberation, renewal, and newfound beauty and strength. The meeting of the heads of state of Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Pakistan in Lachin sends a powerful message to the world: the voice of a new alliance, a new global actor in international relations, is emerging from the ruins of the old order.

The beautiful city of Lachin has cast out the invaders in disgrace — and now welcomes its friends with open arms.