On the occasion of the 6th anniversary of Victory Day on November 8, AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and President of Azerbaijan İlham Aliyev held a joint press conference in Shusha. The two leaders drew attention to the strong ties between Turkey and Azerbaijan, the importance of the Karabakh Victory, and the unity of the Turkic world.
Speaking at the meeting held in Shusha, Aliyev emphasized the importance of the support Turkey provided to Azerbaijan in liberating Karabakh from occupation. Stating that Turkey stood by Azerbaijan throughout the 44-day war, Aliyev expressed that the solidarity between the two countries is unshakable.
Pointing out that relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan are built on a shared history, language, culture, and spiritual values, Aliyev noted that the Shusha Declaration has elevated these ties to an official framework.
Stating that they will not allow attempts to disrupt the unity between the two countries, Aliyev also touched upon the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Aliyev further stated that under the leadership of President Erdoğan, Turkey has become a great power and that the two countries are stronger together.
Erdoğan, for his part, expressed his pleasure at being in Shusha on the 6th anniversary of the Karabakh Victory. Stating that the victory holds great importance not only for Azerbaijan but also for the Turkic world, Erdoğan emphasized that the brotherhood between the two countries carries a meaning beyond a shared past, language, and cultural values.
Touching upon the development of the Organization of Turkic States, Erdoğan announced that efforts will continue to ensure the organization achieves a more institutional structure. Erdoğan thanked Azerbaijan for its efforts in strengthening the unity and solidarity of the Turkic world.
Stating that Azerbaijan's liberation of its lands from occupation as a result of the 44-day war marked the beginning of a new era in the South Caucasus, Erdoğan drew attention to the importance of the Karabakh Victory in terms of developments in the region.
The entirety of Aliyev's statements is as follows:
"The city of Shusha was under captivity for 28 years, yet it did not lose its own national spirit. The brotherly Turkish people were always by our side. The statement you made showed the whole world that Turkey stands with brotherly Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan will never forget this. Azerbaijan is grateful to the Turkish people. During the Second Karabakh War, President Erdoğan and the brotherly Turkish people were by our side for 44 days. This will never be forgotten.
The Turkey-Azerbaijan unity is eternal and unshakable. Those who want to come between us will never succeed. The peoples of Turkey and Azerbaijan are brotherly peoples, and there are no other peoples and states as close to each other as we are."
Highlights from President Erdoğan's speech are as follows:
"Six years ago, the Azerbaijani people regained Karabakh's freedom with great heroism. Relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan have reached their current advanced level by passing through various opportunities of history.
This unity of hearts, which we describe with the motto 'one nation, two states,' is an inextinguishable torch that sheds light on our future with the strength it draws from our shared past. Our brotherhood is far beyond a common language, history, and culture. This is why we consider Baku's joy as Ankara's joy, and Shusha's pride as the pride of our entire nation.
Azerbaijan's liberation of its own lands from occupation with the 44-day Patriotic War opened the door to a new era in the South Caucasus. Those who want to weaken this brotherhood, which we fortified with the bond of alliance through the declaration we signed in Shusha on June 15, 2021, will never reach their goals today or tomorrow, just as they did not yesterday. We are also working with all our might to make this vision dominant in the Turkic world as well.
We are following the efforts Azerbaijan is putting forth for the reconstruction of Karabakh. The revived heritage shows the Azerbaijani people's faith in the future. We will continue to contribute to the reconstruction and development efforts. The victory won on the battlefield must be crowned with lasting peace."
News Source: 12punto
