Turkish President Erdogan is in Azerbaijan for the 17th ECO Summit in Khankendi. He will address regional leaders on trade and cooperation. His visit highlights Turkey’s support for Azerbaijan and regional development.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has arrived in Azerbaijan to participate in the 17th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), a pivotal regional platform that seeks to foster stronger economic collaboration among its member states. The summit is taking place in Khankendi, a city in the Karabakh region, which holds symbolic and strategic importance given recent regional developments.

Erdogan's arrival began with a landing in the city of Fuzuli on Friday, from where he continued his journey to Khankendi, the host city for this year’s summit. He is not attending alone but is accompanied by a delegation of high-ranking Turkish officials. These include Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who plays a crucial role in shaping Turkey’s regional diplomacy; Trade Minister Omer Bolat, whose presence underscores the economic emphasis of the summit; Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu, reflecting the focus on connectivity and logistics; and Family and Social Services Minister Mahinur Ozdemir Göktas, highlighting Turkey’s broader social and humanitarian interests in regional cooperation.

President Erdogan is expected to address the summit, where leaders from the 10 member countries of the ECO will gather to deliberate on key issues such as enhancing trade flows, expanding energy cooperation, improving regional transportation networks, and developing other critical sectors that can bind the region more closely together. His speech is anticipated to emphasize Turkey’s vision for a more interconnected and economically resilient region.

The Economic Cooperation Organization was initially founded in 1985 by Turkey, Iran, and Pakistan as a trilateral initiative aimed at deepening economic integration. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the organization expanded its membership to include several newly independent states from Central Asia and the South Caucasus, transforming the ECO into a broader regional grouping. Over the years, the organization’s summits have become important venues for dialogue, allowing leaders to explore collaborative solutions to economic, logistical, and political challenges facing the region.

This year’s summit carries added weight due to the shifting geopolitical dynamics in the South Caucasus. The meeting comes after Azerbaijan fully restored its control over the Karabakh region in 2023, concluding a protracted conflict with Armenia that spanned several decades. This development has drawn regional and international attention, with many stakeholders now focusing on how to ensure long-term stability, economic recovery, and inclusive development in the area.

Turkey has consistently positioned itself as a key partner to Azerbaijan, not only during the conflict but also in the reconstruction phase that followed. Ankara has lent support to Baku’s infrastructure and development initiatives and is an active participant in efforts to revitalize transport corridors linking Asia and Europe. A major example is the Middle Corridor project, which aims to establish a transcontinental trade and logistics route running through the South Caucasus and Central Asia, offering a viable alternative to existing paths and reducing dependency on traditional routes through Russia or Iran.

President Erdogan’s attendance at the summit signals Turkey’s unwavering commitment to regional solidarity and cooperative progress. It also reflects the deepening strategic alliance between Turkey and Azerbaijan, grounded in shared political goals, cultural ties, and mutually beneficial economic interests. Through his participation, Erdogan is expected to reaffirm Turkey’s role as a stabilizing force and proactive player in shaping the future of the wider ECO region.