LACHIN / ISTANBUL

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev inaugurated the Lachin International Airport on Wednesday, Türkiye’s Communications Directorate said on X.

At the ceremony, the leaders cut the ribbon and were presented with symbolic keys. 

Erdogan arrived in Lachin on Wednesday to participate in Azerbaijan’s Independence Day celebrations and attend the airport's opening.

After the inauguration, Erdogan and Aliyev spoke to the press at the hotel where the two will hold talks.​​​​​​​

“First and foremost, Lachin's acquisition of such a magnificent airport as the third airport in the region has elevated Azerbaijan to a much stronger position. After Fuzuli, Lachin and the ceremonies to be held here will hopefully enable Azerbaijan to look toward a broader horizon,” said Erdogan.

The Lachin International Airport is the third airport built by Azerbaijan in territories liberated during a 44-day war with Armenia in the fall of 2020.

The airport has a 3,000-meter-long and 60-meter-wide runway and a terminal that can handle 200 passengers per hour. It is located 30 kilometers from Lachin city center, 70 kilometers from Shusha, and 60 kilometers from Kalbajar.

During his visit, Erdogan and Aliyev will also take part in the Türkiye-Azerbaijan-Pakistan trilateral summit, alongside Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.​​​​​​​