The first international forum held in Khankendi with the participation of heads of state and delegations from the member countries of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) marked an important milestone in the transformation of the regional architecture across Eurasia. The summit confirmed that the authority to make key decisions concerning the region is increasingly shifting toward regional actors themselves. Direct diplomacy without intermediaries and the strengthening of intra-regional dialogue are becoming the rule rather than the exception.
One of the most illustrative developments was the participation of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian. Despite ongoing debates within the Iranian political establishment regarding Tehran’s policy in the South Caucasus—and accusations that Baku supports Israel in its conflict with Iran—Iran’s newly elected president attended the summit. His visit demonstrated not only Tehran’s commitment to dialogue but also the personal willingness of Iran’s new leadership to engage constructively. Pezeshkian’s public remarks on the need to address the issues facing Iran’s Azerbaijani population, including the right to education in their native language, were viewed in both Baku and Ankara as signs of a potential rapprochement and a shift in Tehran’s approach.
Another noteworthy aspect of the summit was the participation of Ersin Tatar, President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. His informal dialogue with the leaders of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan on the summit sidelines can be interpreted as a step toward restoring trust between Tükiye and the Central Asian states. This is particularly significant given the recent tension caused by a joint statement from the EU and Central Asian countries affirming the territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus—an initiative perceived by Ankara as a political affront.
The summit also saw the resumption of dialogue between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. The presence of Turkmenistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov, along with his meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, indicates the possibility of renewed bilateral cooperation, especially in the fields of energy and transport.
The presence of Abdul Ghani Baradar, Deputy Prime Minister of Afghanistan’s de facto Taliban government, was another key moment. As the first official Taliban representative to attend such a high-level international event in recent years, his participation highlighted a paradigm shift. It occurred shortly after Russia officially accepted the credentials of the new Afghan ambassador on July 3, 2025—an event described in expert circles as a “historic step.”
Nearly all key external and regional players are now seeking pragmatic engagement with the Taliban. For Pakistan, relations with Kabul are a matter of national security and border stability, particularly in light of unresolved territorial disputes. For China, Afghanistan represents access to critical mineral resources. For the Central Asian republics, dialogue with Kabul is essential for minimizing security risks and establishing predictable relations. Against this backdrop, Russia seeks to retain its strategic initiative by positioning itself as the first major power to formalize diplomatic relations with the Taliban.
The Khankendi summit took place amid a complicated international environment. The recent war between Iran and Israel, the intensifying rivalry between global powers, rising tariff protectionism, and increasing pressure on regional states all contribute to the emergence of a new geopolitical reality. In this context, capitals across the region are increasingly inclined toward autonomous decision-making.
By hosting the summit, Baku has not only reaffirmed its status as an active regional player but also positioned itself as an architect of the emerging regional agenda. The choice of Khankendi—until recently the epicenter of a protracted conflict—was symbolic. It underscores the profound shifts underway and Azerbaijan’s new role as a platform for direct interstate dialogue.
The forum in Khankendi was not merely symbolic. It signified a systemic shift toward the regionalization of international processes in the post-Soviet space. The new phase of geopolitical development in Eurasia is no longer being shaped in distant foreign capitals—it is being forged on the ground, by the region itself.
