Erdogan Attends the Opening Ceremony of Lachin Airport and the Trilateral Summit
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended the opening ceremony of Lachin International Airport in Azerbaijan on Tuesday. The visit, made at the invitation of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, coincided with Azerbaijan’s Independence Day.
Lachin Airport, considered Azerbaijan’s third-largest airport in the territories liberated from Armenian occupation, became operational after two years of construction at a cost of approximately $100 million. Built in a mountainous area at an altitude of 1,800 meters above sea level, the airport has unique features.
During the opening ceremony, attended by high-ranking officials from both countries, Erdogan emphasized the importance of this project for regional development. He stated, “Lachin Airport is not just a transportation project but also a symbol of regional cooperation and a sign of stability in the Caucasus.”
Following the ceremony, a trilateral summit was held with the participation of the leaders of Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan. This meeting, marking the second round of trilateral talks, explored ways to expand joint cooperation in various fields.
Key topics discussed included the development of international transport corridors, particularly the Middle Corridor connecting Europe and Asia. The leaders also exchanged views on defense and security cooperation, joint energy projects, and enhancing economic relations.
Key topics discussed included the development of international transport corridors, particularly the Middle Corridor connecting Europe and Asia. The leaders also exchanged views on defense and security cooperation, joint energy projects, and enhancing economic relations.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev acknowledged the historical ties between the three countries and thanked Turkey and Pakistan for their support during the 44-day war. He emphasized that the summit demonstrated the shared commitment to deepening multilateral cooperation.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the importance of strengthening trilateral relations, stating that Pakistan is ready to expand economic cooperation with Turkey and Azerbaijan.
On the sidelines of the summit, several cooperation agreements in transportation, energy, and trade were signed. The parties committed to reducing trade barriers and increasing investment collaboration.
This visit, conducted within the framework of close Turkey-Azerbaijan relations, underscores the continuation of strategic cooperation between the two countries. Analysts believe the opening of Lachin Airport and the trilateral summit could have a significant impact on regional developments.
