BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 5. Azerbaijan's Khankendi city, which was occupied for many years, has this time hosted the leaders of regional countries, political analyst Azer Garayev told Trend.
"The 17th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) held here was not just a diplomatic meeting - it was also a strong message from Azerbaijan and our head of state: Karabakh is free, on the path of development, and a fully legitimate center of international cooperation.
The summit, held on Azerbaijan’s initiative and hosted by the country, was significant politically, economically, and symbolically. Holding an international event in Karabakh, which was occupied, destroyed, and left in ruins for nearly 30 years, shows that regional realities have changed, Azerbaijan’s will has prevailed, and the country’s regional leadership role is evident.
The fact that the summit took place specifically in Khankendi was not accidental. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev clearly explained the strategic and moral reasons behind this choice in his speech. He pointed out that the city was under illegal control of Armenia for many years, its population subjected to ethnic cleansing, and its cultural and religious heritage destroyed.
After Azerbaijan restored its territorial integrity following the 44-day Second Karabakh War in 2020, a process of restoration and reconstruction began in these areas.
That is why Khankendi - a city once known as the center of separatism—has today become a hub of international diplomacy. This represents a ‘bridge from the past to the future’ for both the Azerbaijani people and the countries of the region,” he said.
According to the analyst, high-level leaders from Iran, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Türkiye, and other countries participated in the summit.
“This clearly demonstrated Azerbaijan’s international prestige. The leaders’ visit to Khankendi once again proved that no force can establish illegal regimes in Azerbaijani territories, stimulate ethnic separatism, or disrupt regional stability. The summit not only showcased the unity of ECO countries but also showed how flexible and systematic Azerbaijan’s diplomacy is. Important issues such as regional cooperation, economic integration, energy security, and climate change were discussed at the venue where the leaders gathered,” he added.
Garayev pointed out that during his speech at the event, President Ilham Aliyev spoke about the atrocities committed and the destruction of cities during the period when Armenia occupied parts of Azerbaijani territory.
“The head of state showed the past and present of Karabakh. Although nearly 20 percent of Azerbaijan’s territories were occupied for almost 30 years, the Azerbaijani Army ended the 30-year longing in just 44 days in 2020. Currently, large-scale restoration and construction work is underway in all liberated Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur, and the region is undergoing decades of development within a few years. Former internally displaced persons are already returning to these areas and living in their native lands.
As President Ilham Aliyev said, so far the return of former IDPs has been ensured in 16 cities and villages, and more than 50,000 people now live, work, and study in the liberated territories. The head of state also touched upon the right of Azerbaijanis forcibly expelled from Armenian territory to return. Armenia does not want dialogue with the Western Azerbaijan Community and rejects it.
However, this issue must ultimately be resolved, and efforts will continue to ensure the return of Western Azerbaijanis to their ancestral lands in Armenia. President Ilham Aliyev also highlighted Azerbaijan’s investment climate, transport corridors, energy, and cooperation in other fields,” he reminded.
The analyst emphasized that another important decision at the summit was the declaration of Shusha as the ECO Tourism Capital for 2026. This decision proves that Karabakh is being rehabilitated not only politically but also economically and culturally.
According to him, the leaders attending the event also stressed the importance of holding the summit in Khankendi.
“President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov stressed that holding the meeting in the historic city of Khankendi, located in Azerbaijan’s Karabakh region and a symbol of peace, was of special significance. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan noted that holding the event in Khankendi - a city liberated from occupation - gave the summit special importance and meaning. The Prime Minister of Kazakhstan also touched on this issue, saying that holding the summit in Khankendi expressed Azerbaijan’s support for peace and development. Other leaders also specially noted this, sending a clear message to the world that Azerbaijan is a supporter of peace and that these territories have historically been part of Azerbaijan,” he mentioned.
Garayev added that the 17th Summit of the ECO holds a special place among the events hosted by Azerbaijan.
“This event is important in several respects. First, it shows that Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity is recognized and accepted internationally, and this is demonstrated to the whole world through the visits of many leaders. Second, it reiterates Azerbaijan’s leadership role in regional transport, energy, and trade issues and the country’s steps and efforts for the welfare of the entire region. Third, it demonstrates that Azerbaijan has not forgotten the pains of the past while looking to the future.
From now on, Khankendi is not only a liberated city but also a new platform for regional cooperation. This summit showed that Azerbaijan is not only a state that wants peace but also one that can organize it and lead regional processes,” Garayev concluded.