Azernews.Az

By Aynur Jafarova

Strategic cooperation, the issues relating to mutual security concerns, in particular resolving the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict were high on the agenda of talks held as part of Turkey's newly-elected President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan's official visit to Azerbaijan.

The Turkish president was greeted to an official welcome ceremony in Baku on September 3 by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and the two presidents were performed the national anthems of the two countries.

At a one-on-one meeting the sides discussed all issues relating to bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey.

Both presidents expressed their confidence that these relations will continue to flourish in the years ahead.

After commending Erdogan on his decisive victory at the presidential elections, President Aliyev said at an enlarged meeting that this victory once again shows that the Turkish people appreciated the work he carried out in recent years.

"Our views coincide on all issues, and we have one goal - to successfully develop brotherly and friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey. I am sure this visit will be an important step taken in this direction," President Aliyev said.

Erdogan, for his part, said bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey should be more intensified. In particular, the existing problems in the region should be resolved by joint efforts of the two countries.

Erdogan, 60, who took a decisive victory at the recent Turkish presidential race on August 10 with 51.8 percent of the vote, previously visited Azerbaijan several times as a Prime Minister, but this visit is unique for two reasons. Firstly, this is Erdogan's first trip to brotherly country since he officially took the post of president. Secondly, Erdogan's current visit will remain in memories for strong statements about Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Turkey, one of the main supporters of Azerbaijan in the international arena, always gave its support in issues of great importance to Baku acting under the slogan "one nation two states"

Turkey holds a decisive position in favor of Azerbaijan in the long-lasting Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which appeared as a result of Armenia's territorial claims towards its South Caucasus neighbor. Turkey severed diplomatic ties with Yerevan and closed its border with Armenia following Armenia's invasion of Azerbaijan's territory.

Turkey sets Armenia's withdrawal from Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions of Azerbaijan as a precondition for restoring diplomatic relations.

"Turkish-Armenian relations will not be normalized until the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is resolved. Ankara has repeatedly stated this," Erdogan firmly stressed.

Speaking after a meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart Erdogan went on to add that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be included in the agenda of the upcoming NATO summit that is to be held in Wales September 4-5.

During the upcoming NATO summit Turkey plans to recall the importance of fulfilling NATO promises given to Azerbaijan.

"This is the right of Azerbaijan and the promises given to the country must be fulfilled," he said. "Turkey is ready to show determination here."

President Erdogan also said the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is a priority for Turkey and testifies to the level of bilateral relations between the two countries.

Such a statement was also made a few days ago in Ankara by the country's new Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, who said the liberation of occupied Azerbaijani lands is a strategic goal for Turkey.

Erdogan also revealed the date of laying the Southern Gas Corridor.

He said the ceremony will be held on September 20, 2014.

Erdogan believes the Southern Gas Corridor is a very important project not only for Azerbaijan and Turkey, but also for the entire region, and its realization is an indication of Azerbaijan's power.

The Azerbaijan-Turkey relations have always been strong due to a common culture and history and the mutual intelligibility of Turkish and Azerbaijani languages.

Azerbaijan and Turkey are the two countries that play a role of locomotive in the Turkish world and have its word in the international arena.

Turkey was the first country to recognize Azerbaijan's independence in 1991 and has been a staunch supporter of Azerbaijan in its efforts to consolidate its independence, preserve its territorial integrity, and realize its economic potential that arises from the rich natural resources of the Caspian Sea.

The two countries enjoy fruitful economic cooperation, which have dramatically boosted in the recent years with realization of major regional projects.

Economic projects, jointly implemented by Azerbaijan and Turkey, are bringing these countries together and strengthening their cooperation. These two countries are connected by several important regional projects, including the Baku-Supsa, Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipelines, Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas line, and TANAP.

Also, Azerbaijani companies have actively taken part in various projects in different parts of Turkey. SOCAR is one of the world's most well-established oil companies, active in Turkey since May 30, 2008. SOCAR is involved in a number of major investment projects in Turkey, including the construction of TANAP, Star refinery, and others.

A state visit by the elected Turkish president to Azerbaijan has become something of a tradition and this testifies to the highest level of strong, fraternal and friendly relations between the two countries.

It is believed that Erdogan's visit to Azerbaijan will further strengthen already very cordial relations that currently exist between the two countries.