Lachin Summit: Path to peace and stability in region Expert opinions on Caliber.Az

On May 28, a summit was held in the city of Lachin with the participation of the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Türkiye — Ilham Aliyev and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan — as well as the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. The Lachin summit is undoubtedly a key political event both for Azerbaijan and for the development of the Karabakh region. 

In a broader sense, in terms of shaping a new political line, it represents a new alliance set by the cooperation between Baku, Ankara, and Islamabad. The opening of the Lachin International Airport on this day, attended by the heads of Azerbaijan and Türkiye, further underscored the symbolism of the leaders' meeting in Karabakh, liberated from Armenian occupation.

The summit featured many significant statements by the leaders of Türkiye, Pakistan, and Azerbaijan, widely quoted by international media. However, perhaps the main message of the meeting was voiced by the President of Azerbaijan: "I am confident that the messages sent to the world today by the three countries from liberated Lachin will reach their intended destinations."

The main outcomes of the trilateral summit in Lachin were discussed by a Caliber.Az correspondent with foreign experts.

Turkish-Kazakh politician and political scientist Serikzhan Mambetalin, founder of the “Great Turan Union” foundation, began by congratulating Azerbaijan on its recent national holiday:
“I would like to congratulate all our Azerbaijani brothers on Independence Day. This is undoubtedly one of the most significant and widely celebrated dates in Azerbaijan’s history.”

In his view, the summit of the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Türkiye and the Prime Minister of Pakistan can be regarded as a clear political message. It signals the formation of an alliance that, in essence, has already been taking shape for some time.

“Let us recall in this context the joint military exercises held by the armed forces of these countries. All of this is certainly encouraging, as we are not merely talking about cooperation, but a strategic partnership within the framework of the Great Turan vision. When we speak of the Great Turan, we mean not only cultural and political rapprochement, but also the revival of the Silk Road, its security, and stability. All three countries play a key role here — both in ensuring security and in promoting logistics corridors. Looking at the map, it is clear that Pakistan is a vital part of the ancient Silk Road, and its involvement is critically important for the implementation of the Middle Corridor between China and Europe,” the political scientist emphasised.

In his view, President Aliyev’s remarks about sending a message can be interpreted in different ways — each country will perceive it in its own context.

“Azerbaijan is in the process of preparing to sign a peace treaty with Armenia, yet at the same time, we are witnessing the active rearmament of the Armenian army, including through large-scale deliveries from India — with reported figures reaching around $2 billion.

As for Türkiye, it is located in a complex region. Confrontation with Israel is intensifying, and tensions persist in relations with Greece — the Greek army continues to assert its ambitions over what we refer to as Mavi Vatan, the ‘Blue Homeland’. And of course, there is still the unresolved issue of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus,” the expert added.

In turn, Pakistan, according to Mambetalin, has faced a deliberately provoked conflict instigated by India, where forces with a highly radical ideology are in power, causing serious concern. Mosques and temples are being destroyed, and Muslims and Christians are suffering, yet the West prefers to turn a blind eye to these events. The latest conflict was brief, but the Pakistani army demonstrated high combat readiness and confirmed the quality of its weaponry.

“In my view, this provocation was aimed at undermining the security of the Middle Corridor — the new Silk Road route through which goods are delivered from China to Europe. It is possible that similar incidents will occur in the future. However, a clear and firm response was given this time, showing that by uniting, it is possible to repel any aggressor.

In conclusion, I would like to once again congratulate the Azerbaijani people. The opening of the airport in Lachin holds serious geostrategic significance. It is a symbol of the return of peaceful life to Karabakh and the restoration of infrastructure in previously occupied territories. Three airports have already been built in this region, which speaks volumes about how seriously Azerbaijan is committed to developing Karabakh and how important this territory is for the entire Turkic world,” Mambetalin summed up.

In turn, Israeli political scientist, PhD in Political Science, and editor of Aziznews.com, Yuri Bocharov, believes that the meeting of the leaders of Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Pakistan in Lachin undoubtedly carries deep symbolism and significance. Holding the summit precisely on Azerbaijani territories recently liberated highlights the solidarity and support from Pakistan and Türkiye regarding the restoration of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. It also demonstrates the unity of the three countries in their pursuit of peace and stability in the region.

“Undoubtedly, the outcomes of this meeting will contribute to further strengthening trilateral relations across various fields — from economics and investments to defence and security. This strategic partnership has the potential to become a significant factor in shaping a new regional agenda, promoting the development of infrastructure, trade links, and cultural exchanges. The meeting also reaffirms these countries’ commitment to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.

President Aliyev’s words about the signals that the three countries are sending to the world today from liberated Lachin likely imply several key messages.
First, it is a message about the strength and indestructibility of the alliance between Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Pakistan.

Second, it demonstrates a commitment to peaceful conflict resolution alongside a firm determination to protect their national interests.

Third, it may be a call to the international community to recognise the new realities in the region and support efforts for restoration and development.

It is important to note that Azerbaijan, under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, plays a key role in establishing peace and stability in the region. After liberating its territories, the country is actively engaged in their reconstruction and reintegration, offering constructive approaches to normalising relations. The meeting in Lachin is yet another testament to Azerbaijan’s pursuit of long-term peace based on principles of justice and international law,” concluded Bocharov.