Online International Conference on “Turkey – Azerbaijan – Pakistan Trilateral Vision on Common Civilization” organized by Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad, Center for Diplomatic Affairs and Political Studies, (DIPAM), Istanbul and Center of Analysis of International Relations, (AIR Center), Azerbaijan

On 3rd November 2020, Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad, Center for Diplomatic Affairs and Political Studies, (DIPAM), Istanbul and Center of Analysis of International Relations, (AIR Center), Azerbaijan conducted an “Online International Conference” on “Turkey – Azerbaijan – Pakistan Trilateral Vision on Common Civilization.” This online conference aimed to discuss various wide-ranging similar aspects of cultural, social, political and geostrategic aspects of past, present and future of Pakistan, Turkey and Azerbaijan.
This Online Conference was addressed by four prominent experts and members of academia from Turkey, Pakistan and Azerbaijan who shared their valuable insight on different aspects of this topic in considerable detail. This conference was commenced by the keynote address from the speaker and moderator of this conference, Mr. Tolga Sakman, Chairman, Center for Diplomatic Affairs and Political Studies, Istanbul DIPAM, Turkey. Mr. Sakman briefed about the meaning and deep-rooted historical context of trilateral vision on common civilization. He stressed the undeniable nature of cooperation between Pakistan, Azerbaijan and Turkey and suggested a shared future for these countries which should be based on activities based on accelerated empathy for the establishment of world order for the way and initiative these countries wish it to be.
Major General Syed Khalid Amir Jaffery HI (M), (Retd), President, Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad emphasized that the eternal bond of affiliation between Turkey, Pakistan and Azerbaijan is unbreakable. He emphasized the cultural, social, religious and culinary similarities between these three countries and described central Asian and Turkish influences in this region since the invasion of India by Babur. He further highlighted the significance of the Belt and Road Initiative as the first initiative to join these areas which are tightly knit under common strategic, cultural and geo-strategic goals as envisaged by Pakistan’s founding father, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Ambassador (R) Dr. Farid Shafiyev, Chairman, Center of Analysis of International Relations, (AIR Center), Azerbaijan carried on further discussion and highlighted aspects of regional struggle and geopolitical challenges in the region. He stressed the need for increased cooperation between think tanks of Pakistan, Azerbaijan and Turkey in the wake of international pressure on Azerbaijan regarding it's ongoing conflict in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The esteemed panelist also highlighted the impact of prejudices of colonial legacy in favor of Armenia by western countries. He emphasized breaking away from European ideas and narrative regarding the history of this region and it's geopolitical issues like in the case of Nagorno-Karabakh and Indian occupation of Kashmir by creating a non-colonial non-western narrative based on realities of this region.
Ambassador (R) Aydin Nurhan, Former Representative at OIC, Turkey floated his own opinion that the legitimacy and respect which the USA earned as a superpower has diminished after 9/11 and China seems to be the next candidate to take this position from it. China can be a valuable partner of Pakistan, Turkey and Azerbaijan under the Belt and Road Initiative.
There is a need for a new strategy that should be detached from western information strategy which is controlled by their lobbies. It would be very wise if Azerbaijan joins the trilateral goal of economic prosperity under the BRI initiative of which Pakistan and Turkey are part.
At the end of this online session, Major General Syed Khalid Amir Jaffery, Ambassador (R) Dr. Farid Shafiyev and Ambassador (R) Aydin Nurhan briefly weighed in on the prospects of better economic policy and common geopolitical objectives for moving towards a better direction in the region and for creation of a common outlet for sharing information of mutual information along with some other topics of mutual interest of trilateral cooperation between Azerbaijan, Turkey and Pakistan.
This online conference was attended by a large number of participants from Pakistan, Turkey and Azerbaijan.