Gulshat Bakiyeva, Deputy Chairperson of the Tourism Department at the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan, spoke highly of Shusha and its tourism potential. She spoke about this in an interview with AZERTAC during the ninth meeting of the Economic Cooperation Organization's High-Level Expert Group on Tourism, which is currently underway in Shusha.

The event is part of a series of events celebrating Shusha's designation as the ECO tourism capital for 2026. Following the expert meeting, the city is also scheduled to host Gastronomy Day and the seventh meeting of the organization's tourism ministers, which will take place on April 29.

According to Bakiyeva, the road from Baku left a strong impression on her: the wheat fields, forests, and mountain views kept her focused throughout the entire journey. She described the city itself as a center of Azerbaijan's historical and cultural heritage. The Turkmen official also noted the high level of organization of the event and the warm welcome from the Azerbaijani side, adding that the Turkmen side has much to learn from its colleagues in the field of tourism and hospitality. She also emphasized that both nations are united by shared cultural traditions and history.

Bakiyeva expressed confidence in the practical significance of the negotiations and congratulated Shusha on being awarded the status of ECO tourism capital, calling this designation a very high honor.

Shusha was selected as the ECO tourism capital for 2026 following the fifth meeting of the organization's tourism ministers, held in October 2023 in Ardabil, Iran.