Political analyst and PhD in Economics Ilgar Velizadeh stated this in an interview with ''EDnews.” According to the expert, ECO plays an important role in the system of regional relations:
“The organization includes countries such as Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Turkey, Iran, and the Central Asian nations. At this stage, relations between these member states are of great importance, as the world is currently undergoing complex political and economic processes. We are witnessing not only the erosion of political security but also the disruption of economic relations. Organizations like ECO help prevent this erosion within their regions.”
Ilgar Velizadeh emphasized that Azerbaijan maintains close cooperation with ECO member states, which contributes to its integration into the Central Asian agenda and its active participation in strengthening ties between Turkey and the Central Asian countries:
On the other hand, very close relations have been established with brotherly Pakistan. The reciprocal visits of the heads of state and government of both countries reflect this. In addition, relations with another ECO member, Iran, are being developed constructively, especially in the economic sphere. In a few days, the President of Iran is expected to visit Azerbaijan. All this indicates that Azerbaijan indeed plays a coordinating role within ECO.
In this regard, the implementation of energy and transport projects connects all countries within the ECO geography and creates opportunities to expand economic cooperation. It’s also worth mentioning that ECO member states are located along the historic Silk Road. In the modern era, the importance of the new Silk Road is increasing, which in turn enhances the role of these countries. They play a significant part in the development of transcontinental transportation infrastructure. In other words, ECO countries possess both geographical potential and rich resources.
According to Velizadeh, the upcoming 17th ECO Summit to be held in Azerbaijan will not only highlight the organization’s activities but also make an important contribution to the development of its existing potential.
Madina Mammadova\\EDnews
