Turkish president reaffirms Ankara’s commitment to deepening economic ties with Baku, Islamabad

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has reaffirmed Ankara’s commitment to enhancing economic cooperation with Azerbaijan and Pakistan, emphasizing the strategic importance of trilateral collaboration in fostering regional prosperity and stability.

Addressing a summit with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Erdoğan underscored the new opportunities for development that have emerged following the liberation of Azerbaijani territories from three decades of occupation, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

“With the liberation of Azerbaijani lands from 30 years of occupation, the time has come to transform the region into a hub of development and prosperity. I am confident that the Lachin International Airport, inaugurated today, will make a significant contribution to the region’s growth and integration with the world,” Erdoğan said.

The Turkish leader congratulated Azerbaijan on May 28 – Independence Day – and paid tribute to the memory of the martyrs who gave their lives for the country’s territorial integrity.

President Erdoğan described Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan as “brotherly nations whose relations are based on mutual respect.” He emphasized that the three countries share common ideals, recalling that their combined population exceeds 350 million, and their collective GDP reaches $1.5 trillion.

He highlighted Ankara’s commitment to strengthening economic ties with Baku and Islamabad, stating: “Ankara supports every step aimed at reinforcing the strategic partnership among our countries.”

President Erdoğan noted that regional dynamics further underscore the importance of cooperation among Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan.

The Turkish president also underscored the strategic importance of deepening cooperation among Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan, stating that the trilateral dialogue is not a matter of choice but an urgent necessity given the complex geopolitical challenges facing the region.

“Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan are located in strategically important parts of Eurasia, facing numerous challenges in security, economy, energy, and food sectors. Against this backdrop, solidarity and joint steps by our countries are not a matter of choice but an urgent necessity,” Erdoğan said.

Erdoğan stated that the foreign ministries of the three countries have been tasked with taking steps to establish a structural foundation for further cooperation among Ankara, Baku, and Islamabad. “Frameworks for a joint vision for the dialogue agenda among our countries will be developed, including in trade, investment, transport, energy, defence industry, and counterterrorism,” the president noted.

The Turkish leader also announced that trilateral summits of the leaders of Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan will be held regularly. Additionally, meetings at the ministerial level are planned, Erdoğan noted. He called the transport sector one of the strategic directions of trilateral cooperation.

President Erdoğan affirmed confidence that the dialogue between Ankara, Baku, and Islamabad will benefit the peoples of the three countries.

By Vafa Guliyeva