Stepanakert: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan headed to the Azerbaijani city of Stepanakert this morning to participate in the 17th Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, Turkish Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun announced in a post on the X platform that the summit will be held under the theme: “The ECO’s New Vision for a Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Future,” reflecting a significant shift in the organization’s agenda from purely economics to climate challenges and long-term regional integration.
Altun explained that member states will discuss cooperation issues in vital areas, most notably climate change, trade, transportation networks, and structural reform of the organization. Heads of state and government of member states, along with observers and representatives of international organizations, will also participate in the summit.
According to a statement from the Turkish Presidency, Erdogan will deliver a speech during the summit session, addressing a number of common challenges and Turkey’s vision for enhancing regional integration. He will also hold a series of bilateral meetings with leaders of the organization’s member states, reflecting Ankara’s continued dynamism in activating its roles within Central Asia and its continental neighborhood.
Erdogan will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Trade Minister –mer Bolat, Director of the Turkish Presidency’s Communications Directorate Fahrettin Altun, and Senior Advisor to the Turkish President for Foreign Policy and Security Akif Cagatay Kili§.
The Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) comprises ten countries, most notably Turkey, Azerbaijan, Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Since its founding, it has worked to enhance regional cooperation in the economic, environmental, and cultural fields.
The visit comes at a time when the city of Stepanakert, located in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, has acquired increased political symbolism after Azerbaijan regained full control of it last year. This also gives the visit a strategic dimension and reaffirms Ankara’s unwavering support for Baku on issues of sovereignty and development.