Azerbaijan, Turkey eye deepening cooperation in judiciary - UPDATE
By Aynur Karimova
Azerbaijan and Turkey, the two neighboring countries and strategic partners, are keen on further developing multifaceted relations in all fronts, including in the judicial field.
A visit of a delegation led by Ismail Rustu Cirit, the Chairman of Turkey's Supreme Court of Appeal to Azerbaijan will give a new impetus to the development of judicial ties between the two countries.
Baku and Ankara believe that the successful cooperation between the judicial systems of the two countries contribute to further expansion of the bilateral ties.
This was stated at a meeting held between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and the Turkish delegation led by Ismail Rustu Cirit on April 17.
During the meeting, President Aliyev recalled with pleasure his participation in the 13th Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation recently held in Istanbul, describing the high-level representation of the Islamic countries in this event as a manifestation of their attitude towards Turkey.
He said that his meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the country's Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu were fruitful.
Ismail Rustu Cirit, in turn, said the relations between the two friendly and fraternal countries are developing successfully in all areas, adding the people of Turkey appreciate this.
He also offered condolences to President Aliyev over the martyrdom of Azerbaijani servicemen in the latest developments on the line of contact of troops in the Nagorno-Karabakh, and wished those wounded the soonest possible recovery.
He said Turkey has always stood by Azerbaijan in the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
As part of the visit, Ismail Rustu Cirit also met with Chairman of Azerbaijan's Supreme Court Ramiz Rzayev, where the sides hailed the relations between the judicial-legal systems of the two countries.
Ismail Rustu Cirit highlighted the activity of the Supreme Court of Appeal, and stressed the importance of cooperation between the two countries.
Prior to the meeting, the Turkish delegation visited the Alley of Honors, and laid a wreath at the tomb of Azerbaijan's national leader Heydar Aliyev.
They also put flowers at the grave of prominent ophthalmologist, academician Zarifa Aliyeva.
The Turkish delegation then visited the Alley of Martyrs to put flowers at the graves of Azerbaijani brave sons who gave their lives for the country's independence and territorial integrity.
They also visited the Eternal Flame monument and a monument to Turkish soldiers.
Later, Fikret Mammadov, the Justice Minister of Azerbaijan, who also serves as the Chairman of the Judicial-Legal Council, met with the Turkish delegation.
During the meeting, Mammadov expressed condolences in connection with numerous loss of human life as a result of the ruthless acts of terrorism which have occurred recently in Turkey, stressed effective cooperation between the two countries at the bilateral level, and also their continued support each other within the international organizations.
He spoke in detail about reforms in the field of justice and the judicial reforms which are carried out in Azerbaijan.
Having shown great interest to the reforms which are carried out in the judicial and legal sphere, guests have stated a wish of further expansion of bilateral ties, have noted importance for both parties of exchange of positive experience.
The Turkish delegation also had talks with Prosecutor General Zakir Garalov.
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Aynur Karimova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter @Aynur_Karimova
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