Baku: ‘One of the important things about the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is that it is an opportunity for leaders to talk with each other, whether informally or more formally in bilateral meetings,’ former U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Robert Cekuta told AZERTAC.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Cekuta emphasized the potential impact of the SCO meetings on regional peace processes. He highlighted the significance of the meetings between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, as well as the discussions between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Pashinyan. These dialogues are seen as crucial steps towards advancing the peace process between the involved countries.
Cekuta further noted that while Azerbaijan, Armenia, Trkiye, the UAE, and Egypt are not SCO members, their status as dialogue partners provides them with a platform to pursue national security goals. The SCO meetings offer these nations an avenue to enhance their regional roles and foster progress in their respective areas of interest.
He also pointed out the potential benefits of discussions between President Ilham Aliyev and Central Asian leaders on developments in Central Asia. By engaging in dialogue, these leaders can contribute to advancing agreements and progress in the region, which Cekuta considers a promising prospect for the future.