President: Azerbaijani-Turkish unity strengthens stability in region even more
President Ilham Aliyev has stated that strengthening and further enhancing of the Turkish-Azerbaijani unity is the common goal.
The Azerbaijani leader announced about this while welcoming Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim in Baku on June 3, Trend reports.
The president and premier first held a face-to-face meeting, which was followed by a meeting in an expanded format.
President Aliyev, hailing the fact that the PM paid his first official foreign visit to Azerbaijan, said that it is natural, and a great tradition. “This shows once again that the Turkish-Azerbaijani relations are at the highest level," he emphasized.
The president said that the goal of the two countries is to strengthen and further enhance the Turkish-Azerbaijani unity, stressing that the two sides successfully cooperate in political, economic, transport sectors, as well as all other areas.
President Aliyev said that currently, the relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan are at their peak. "Very important transport, energy projects, which are uniting us, are being implemented. I am glad they are being implemented in a timely manner,” he added.
The president further noted that the Turkish-Azerbaijani relations are of great importance for both peoples and countries, as well as the region, emphasizing that “our unity strengthens stability in the region even more".
President Aliyev, talking to the press conference following the expanded meeting, voiced his confidence that the new government of Turkey will continue to do everything possible for the development of the Turkish-Azerbaijani relations.
Stressing that the two states always support each other, the president mentioned the recent summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Turkey, which made a very important decision related to the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict -- a contact group was established.
The president reminded that the Azerbaijani territory recognized by the international community has been under occupation for many years by Armenians. More than a million Azerbaijanis have become refugees and displaced persons. About 20 percent of Azerbaijani lands are under occupation for over 20 years, despite the fact that international organizations, primarily the United Nations, have adopted relevant decisions and resolutions, the issue remains unresolved.
”It has been more than 20 years since these resolutions were adopted, but they are still on paper. Why?! Because there are double standards and discrimination! In some cases, the UN resolutions are carried out in one day, but when it comes to us, they remain unfulfilled for more than 20 years and
the occupier is not faced with any sanctions. This is a great injustice,” he said.
President Aliyev stressed that Azerbaijan has strengthened its position of principle, achieved political, economic and military supremacy, and the April fighting showed that once again.
The president went on to say that Azerbaijan supports Turkey on all matters and stands by it.
Touching upon the recent resolution of the German parliament adopted on the so-called ‘Armenian genocide’, President Aliyev said that Azerbaijan immediately condemned the unfair and biased resolution of the German parliament adopted on the basis of a historical lie.
The president noted that he condemns this provocation built on lies once again, stressing “this is an injustice, double standards and a distortion of history. Of course, we can’t and won’t tolerate this.”
“This has political aspects which play a major role. Apparently, they want to coerce Turkey into something. They probably want to put pressure and influence the independent policy of Turkey. These are the factors underlying this injustice. The "Armenian issue" is just an excuse. It has become a tool in the hands of large states again,” the president explained.
President Aliyev also spoke about joint energy projects, stressing that they have already gone beyond regional frames and become global.
“Azerbaijan and Turkey are implementing them together. In 2012, together with esteemed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, we laid the foundation of the TANAP project in Istanbul. If we had not assumed this responsibility at that time, energy security issues would still remain the subject of debate. We have taken on this responsibility. We have assumed political responsibility, as well as economic and financial commitments. Today, the Southern Gas Corridor project worth $45 billion is being implemented. This will further unite us and bring stability to the region. Countries of the region will have even closer links with each other,” he emphasized.
Binali Yildirim, in turn, emphasized that Azerbaijan's friend is a friend of Turkey, while Azerbaijan's enemy is an enemy of Turkey.
The PM said that Turkey has always supported Azerbaijan and will continue to support it, adding that unfortunately, double standards are applied against Azerbaijan.
He also stressed that it is time to put an end to the Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani lands, which has been lasting for many years, stressing that such international organizations as the OSCE Minsk Group must solve this issue and Turkey is closely monitoring it.
The Turkish premier further stated that Turkey will not forget Azerbaijan's support in difficult days, in particular, the Azerbaijani president's support when he visited Ankara following the terrorist attack in the country.
Yildirim said President Aliyev has won the hearts of the Turkish people by paying the visit to Ankara following the terrorist attack. "By paying the visit to Ankara, President Aliyev has demonstrated to the world the true brotherhood and friendship," he added.
Azerbaijan-Turkey enjoyed strong relations for centuries due to a common culture and history and the mutual intelligibility of the Turkish and Azerbaijani languages.
Turkey was the first country in the world to recognize Azerbaijan's independence in 1991 and has been a staunch supporter of Azerbaijan in its efforts to preserve its territorial integrity and realize the economic potential that arises from its rich natural resources in the Caspian Sea.
Azerbaijan and Turkey enjoy good and developing economic ties, especially in terms of huge energy projects envisaging the transportation of Azerbaijan's hydrocarbon resources to the European and world markets through the Turkish territory.