ISLAMABAD, Wednesday, January 28, 2026 (WNP): The ambassadors of Türkiye and Azerbaijan on Wednesday called for deepening strategic, economic and institutional cooperation with Pakistan, stressing that closer trilateral coordination among the three countries is essential for regional stability and collective prosperity amid growing global uncertainty.
The call was made at the inaugural seminar of the Institute of Regional Studies’ (IRS) newly launched Türkiye–Azerbaijan Program, titled “Shared Perspectives and Stability: Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan.” The event brought together diplomats, scholars and policy experts to explore avenues for enhancing cooperation among the three countries, often described as brotherly states bound by history, culture and shared strategic outlooks.
Opening the seminar, President of the Institute of Regional Studies Ambassador Jauhar Saleem highlighted the deep-rooted historical, cultural and civilizational ties linking Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Pakistan.
He noted that common regional security challenges had further strengthened mutual understanding and reinforced collaboration in addressing both traditional and non-traditional security threats.
He said shared experiences in navigating complex regional dynamics had fostered a stronger sense of solidarity and cooperation among the three nations.
Ambassador of Türkiye İrfan Neziroğlu underscored the importance of closer geostrategic and geopolitical coordination, particularly in enhancing trade, economic connectivity and sustainable development.
Describing Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Pakistan as “three states but one nation,” he referred to the trilateral summits held in Astana in 2024 and in Lachin in November 2025 as landmark steps toward institutionalising structured cooperation.
He said these engagements had laid a solid foundation for transforming political goodwill into tangible outcomes across economic and strategic domains.
Ambassador of Azerbaijan Khazar Farhadov noted that trilateral collaboration among the three countries dated back to 2017, even if it had not initially been formalised.
He emphasised the need to move beyond symbolic cooperation and take practical steps to deliver concrete results, calling for sustained engagement and deeper coordination to consolidate the trilateral framework.
Participants at the seminar highlighted the growing relevance of regionalism and regional platforms as effective mechanisms for advancing shared interests, building trust and strengthening solidarity. They stressed that enhanced institutional collaboration could help ensure long-term regional resilience in an era marked by geopolitical rivalries and economic uncertainty. The discussion also underscored the importance of people-to-people contacts, academic exchanges and structured policy dialogue in nurturing durable partnerships.
Speakers reaffirmed the collective commitment of Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Pakistan to regional peace, stability and security, particularly against the backdrop of shifting global power dynamics and increasing unpredictability in international affairs.
During the event, the Institute of Regional Studies was acknowledged as a credible policy research institution providing meaningful policy input and intellectual platforms for dialogue. It was noted that the newly inaugurated Türkiye–Azerbaijan Program aims to enhance intellectual cooperation, identify new areas of collaboration and support future policymakers and researchers through rigorous analysis and shared learning.
Concluding the seminar, participants agreed that building a shared future through collective wisdom across Greater Eurasia had become more important than ever. The Türkiye–Azerbaijan Program at IRS, they said, is expected to make a valuable contribution by generating ideas, encouraging joint thinking and strengthening intellectual cooperation among Türkiye, Pakistan and Azerbaijan.
