Azerbaijan-Türkiye-Pakistan axis: A new map of cooperation.
The Azerbaijani people celebrated their Independence Day on May 28, and it is very symbolic that precisely on this important day, in the city of Lachin, liberated from the Armenian occupation, the summit of the Presidents of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif was held, which demonstrated the unity and solidarity of the three countries.
Azerbaijan, Turkey and Pakistan are inextricably linked. Trilateral relations in the economic, military and humanitarian spheres are actively developing, and these countries support each other on issues of regional and international politics.
This was reflected in the speeches of the heads of the three countries at the Lachin summit. In particular, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev stated in his speech: “Azerbaijan, Turkey and Pakistan – three brotherly countries – strengthen their cooperation every year and every day. We are always together, show solidarity and support each other, both in happy and difficult days. Our strategic partnership was reaffirmed today at the second trilateral summit.”
With these words, the Azerbaijani head of state solidified Baku’s main message: the strength of the three countries lies in their unity.
He noted that “During the 44-day war, Turkey and Pakistan supported Azerbaijan. The support of Turkey and Pakistan encouraged us and gave us additional strength. We are always grateful to the leaders of brotherly countries and brotherly peoples for this great political and moral support.”
Deepening Trilateral Cooperation: From Economy and Energy to Defense and Information Technology
In his speech, the Pakistani Prime Minister also focused on the important points in the political lines of Ankara, Baku, and Islamabad on the issues of Karabakh, Kashmir and Northern Cyprus, saying: “Azerbaijan was attacked by Armenia. Turkey and Pakistan stood by Azerbaijan like a solid rock. Pakistan was attacked by India, and my dear brother President Erdogan, our brothers and sisters in Türkiye stood by Pakistan like an impregnable fortress. My dear brother Ilham Aliyev, as well as our brothers and sisters in Azerbaijan, in the shortest possible time showed their full solidarity with Pakistan. This was one of the best moments in our history: three brotherly countries stood together like a family and shared difficult times.”
This multilateral cooperation of the three countries in the complex conditions of the new world order is based on common interests. The Lachin summit, in a way, outlined new lines of trilateral cooperation.
Ilham Aliyev’s words also confirm this: “The strategic location and dynamic economic potential of our countries provide vast opportunities for mutual benefit. We believe that cooperation in the political, economic, energy, mutual investments, transport, defense, agriculture, information technology and other areas will develop more rapidly thanks to joint projects and programs.”