President upbeat about Turkey's place in global scene
By Vafa Ismayilova
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has lauded fraternal Turkey's current crucial place in the international arena.
In his letter of congratulations to Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the occasion of Turkey's national day – the Republic Day, President Aliyev said: “Politically, economically, militarily powerful and stable Republic of Turkey, occupies a very important place in the international arena today. Large-scale programs and projects implemented under your leadership contribute to comprehensive progress and prosperity of your brotherly country. Your people's great trust and confidence in you is undoubtedly the most important factor ensuring the success of the strategic development policy that you are pursuing.”
Aliyev said that Azerbaijani-Turkish friendly and fraternal relations "based on solid foundations such as the common history, national and spiritual values of our peoples, are a clear manifestation of our unity and solidarity".
The president stressed a "historic period" in Azerbaijani-Turkish relations.
"We are currently witnessing a historic period of these relations. In line with the goals and directions set out in the Shusha Declaration, our allied relations are expanding day by day and being enriched with new content," he added.
The Azerbaijani leader underlined "the decisive, unequivocal political and moral support given personally" by Erdogan, Turkey and the Turkish nation had played a great role in Azerbaijan's struggle for the liberation of its lands.
"Our people will never forget this support, which once again demonstrated the Azerbaijani-Turkish solidarity to the whole world,” Aliyev said in his message.
“I am confident that we will continue our joint efforts towards further strengthening and developing our unity, and fruitful and active cooperation in all areas in line with the 'one nation, two states' slogan,” the head of state added.
On June 15, 2021, Azerbaijan and Turkey signed a memorandum of alliance that cemented the existing military, political and economic cooperation.
The Shusha Declaration on Allied Relations that President Ilham Aliyev and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed during the first official visit to Shusha eight months after Azerbaijan’s victory in the war with Armenia, also focuses on defence cooperation.
It affirms joint efforts by the two armies in the face of foreign threats. The declaration also pledges joint efforts for the restructuring and modernization of the armed forces. Moreover, the two nations affirm to encourage the execution of joint projects with the aim of developing capabilities in the field of sea, air, and space.
President Ilham Aliyev said on October 26 that the Shusha Declaration signed in the city of Shusha is a historic document. He stressed that the declaration officially raised Azerbaijani-Turkish relations to the level of alliance.
Shusha, which was occupied by Armenian forces on May 8, 1992, was liberated from Armenia's occupation on November 8, 2020. The city, which played a critical role in liberating Karabakh, is located on the road to Khankandi, the region's largest city.
A Russia-brokered ceasefire deal that Azerbaijan and Armenia signed on November 10, 2020, brought an end to the 44-day war between the two countries. The Azerbaijani army declared a victory against the Armenian troops. The signed agreement obliged Armenia to withdraw its troops from the Azerbaijani lands that it had occupied.
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