Lachin, Azerbaijan – May 28, 2025
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan joined Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Lachin for the grand opening of the Lachin International Airport and to celebrate Azerbaijan’s 28 May Independence Day. The visit, which included the second Türkiye-Azerbaijan-Pakistan Trilateral Summit, underscored the deepening strategic partnership among the three nations and their shared vision for regional stability, peace, and prosperity. In a powerful address, Erdoğan expanded the iconic “one nation, two states” motto to include Pakistan, declaring, “We are now three nations, one state,” symbolizing the unity of Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan.
Lachin International Airport: A Symbol of Revival
The inauguration of the Lachin International Airport marked a significant milestone in Azerbaijan’s reconstruction of its territories liberated from Armenian occupation in 2020. President Erdoğan, welcomed by President Aliyev at the airport, hailed the facility as a testament to Azerbaijan’s resurgence. “Today, it is our privilege to open the Lachin International Airport, following the Füzuli and Zangilan airports,” Erdoğan said, emphasizing the contributions of Turkish companies to the project. “This airport will play a pivotal role in Karabakh’s integration with the world and its long-awaited development.”
The airport, the third of its kind in Azerbaijan’s reclaimed regions, is expected to boost regional connectivity, tourism, and economic growth. President Aliyev praised the collaboration, stating, “The support of Türkiye and Pakistan during the 44-day war gave us hope. The brotherhood of our three nations grows stronger year by year, in good times and bad” .
Azerbaijan’s Independence Day: A Shared Celebration
Addressing a cultural event commemorating Azerbaijan’s Independence Day, Erdoğan extended heartfelt greetings to the Azerbaijani people. “From Baku to Nakhchivan, I send my love and respects to our brothers and sisters across Azerbaijan,” he said. “I bring the greetings of 86 million Turks whose hearts beat with the spirit of ‘three states, one nation.’” Congratulating Azerbaijan on its 28 May Independence Day, he added, “As the son of a nation that knows the value of independence, I wholeheartedly celebrate your Independence Day. We honor the heroes who sacrificed their lives for Azerbaijan’s freedom.”
Erdoğan described the liberation of Karabakh as a historic turning point. “With Karabakh’s liberation, every note rising from these lands is the voice of a nation’s rebirth,” he declared. “The melodies we will hear today carry the hope growing in Lachin’s valleys, the freedom echoing in Shusha’s stones, and the manifestation of national will in Ganja and Baku. They embody the spirit of a magnificent victory, paid for with the sacred blood of our martyrs” .
Trilateral Summit: A Strategic Partnership
The Türkiye-Azerbaijan-Pakistan Trilateral Summit, the second of its kind following the inaugural meeting in Astana in 2024, focused on deepening cooperation in trade, energy, defense, and regional security. Erdoğan thanked President Aliyev for his hospitality and congratulated Azerbaijan on its Independence Day, saying, “We are three brotherly nations, rooted in mutual love, respect, and trust, nourished by the same civilizational climate, and united by shared ideals. With a combined population of 350 million and an economic size of $1.5 trillion, we are strengthening our bonds.”
Highlighting the importance of solidarity amid regional challenges, Erdoğan noted, “The liberation of Azerbaijani lands after 30 years of occupation has paved the way for the region to become a hub of stability, prosperity, and development. The Lachin International Airport will significantly contribute to this vision.” He emphasized the need for institutionalized cooperation, stating, “Our foreign ministers will work to formalize our trilateral partnership, focusing on trade, investment, transportation, energy, defense, and counter-terrorism” .
Erdoğan also outlined plans for regular summits and ministerial meetings to advance collaboration. “We will deepen defense cooperation, combat cross-border threats, and promote trade, investment, and digital transformation,” he said. “Projects like the Development Road, Middle Corridor, and North-South Transport Corridor will benefit from our joint efforts. We will also enhance cultural and educational exchanges, particularly among our youth and academics, and seize opportunities in energy security, food security, and renewable energy.”
A Call for Peace in Gaza and Regional Stability
Erdoğan reiterated Türkiye’s commitment to advocating for justice in global conflicts, particularly in Gaza. “We will continue to defend the rights of innocent people being massacred in Gaza in plain sight,” he declared. “Our region has endured enough bloodshed and tears. I call on the international community to increase pressure on the Israeli administration to ensure a permanent ceasefire and the delivery of urgent humanitarian aid to Gaza” .
Reflecting on recent regional developments, Erdoğan welcomed the ceasefire between Pakistan and India, praising Prime Minister Sharif’s “calm and prudent approach.” “We hope this ceasefire will lead to lasting peace,” he said. “Türkiye is ready to contribute to this process in any way possible.”
Azerbaijan’s Progress and Türkiye’s Support
Erdoğan reaffirmed Türkiye’s unwavering support for Azerbaijan, stating, “Our home, our hearth, our beloved Azerbaijan—we will continue to strengthen our bonds. May God make the Türkiye-Azerbaijan brotherhood eternal.” He praised Azerbaijan’s achievements, saying, “We take pride in Azerbaijan’s successes as a beacon of stability. The time has come to write a story of success, peace, and development for Karabakh.”
President Aliyev echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the enduring partnership. “Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Pakistan stand together in good times and bad. Our brotherhood strengthens year by year,” he said, crediting Türkiye and Pakistan for their support during the 2020 Second Karabakh War.
A Vision for the Future
The events of May 28, 2025, in Lachin highlighted the transformative power of unity among Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan. The opening of the Lachin International Airport, the celebration of Azerbaijan’s Independence Day, and the outcomes of the Trilateral Summit underscored a shared commitment to peace, prosperity, and regional cooperation. As Erdoğan concluded, “May God keep our path clear and our unity eternal. I thank the Azerbaijani people for their warm hospitality and Prime Minister Sharif for joining us on this meaningful day.”
