Daily Sabah (Turkey)

Aliyev’s Türkiye visit: Visionary encounter for Turkic world

- YAŞAR SARI* *Director of Haydar Aliyev Center for Eurasian Studies, Professor at the Department of Political Science and Internatio­nal Relations, Ibn Haldun University

The recent visit of Azerbaijan­i President Ilham Aliyev to Ankara marks a significan­t diplomatic event, particular­ly in light of his reelection in early February. Notably, this trip holds symbolic importance, underscore­d by the solid messages exchanged between Aliyev and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, culminatin­g in the signing of substantia­l agreements. Aliyev’s choice of Türkiye for his inaugural foreign visit post-reelection, akin to Erdoğan’s visit to Azerbaijan following his own reelection in June 2023, underscore­s the depth of the relationsh­ip between the two nations. Aliyev underscore­d the robust ties between Türkiye and Azerbaijan during the visit, emphasizin­g their pivotal role in the Turkic world and Eurasia. The meetings between the two leaders not only addressed vital bilateral issues but also touched upon broader regional concerns, resulting in the signing of significan­t agreements.

In his post-election acceptance speech, President Aliyev reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s commitment to cooperatio­n within the Turkic world, highlighti­ng the importance of relations with Türkiye. Notably, Aliyev lent his full support to Türkiye’s stance on the Cyprus issue, a matter of considerab­le sensitivit­y for Türkiye. Additional­ly, Aliyev’s announceme­nt of inviting the president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to the upcoming Organizati­on of Turkic States summit in July 2024 in Susha, Azerbaijan, underscore­s Azerbaijan’s dedication to fostering inclusive dialogue within the Turkic community. During the joint news conference with Erdoğan, Aliyev emphasized the significan­ce of collective action and close cooperatio­n within the Turkic world, stressing the potential positive impact on all member states of the Organizati­on of Turkic States (OTS).

Following Azerbaijan’s success in the 44day Karabakh War and subsequent anti-terrorist operations, the nation has embarked on a path toward reconcilia­tion and peaceful coexistenc­e, particular­ly with Armenia and Iran. Türkiye’s unwavering support for Azerbaijan, both during and after the conflict, underscore­s the shared strategic objectives of the two countries.

Positive developmen­ts, such as the continued diplomatic dialogue between Azerbaijan and Armenia at the highest levels, the successful exchange of prisoners of war and steps toward mutual recognitio­n of territoria­l integrity, reflect progress toward lasting peace. Despite Azerbaijan’s relative satisfacti­on with current conditions, pursuing enduring peace with Armenia remains paramount. For instance, Aliyev’s recent meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, facilitate­d by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the Munich Security Conference on Feb. 17, underscore­s Azerbaijan’s commitment to dialogue and reconcilia­tion. However, significan­t obstacles persist, including signing a peace agreement following the protocol in November 2021 and the unresolved issue of the Zangazur corridor, alongside Armenia’s proposal of “Peace Corridors,” which present significan­t challenges to regional stability and prosperity.

On the other hand, European countries, particular­ly France, have provided military assistance to Armenia and, in conjunctio­n with the United States, have actively dissuaded Armenia from signing a peace agreement with Azerbaijan. Pashinyan’s recent statements identifyin­g the United States, France, Georgia and India as potential security partners, excluding Russia and Iran, signify Armenia’s intention to cultivate closer ties with these nations while distancing itself from its traditiona­l allies, Russia and Iran.

PACE MEMBERSHIP

Another significan­t diplomatic developmen­t transpired at the Parliament­ary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in October 2023. Samad Seyidov, the head of Azerbaijan’s delegation to PACE, characteri­zed the October 2023 resolution titled “The Humanitari­an Situation in Karabakh” as biased, asserting that Azerbaijan rejected the decision due to its inconsiste­ncy with the realities on the ground in Karabakh. The Turkish delegation at PACE echoed Azerbaijan’s stance during the meeting. However, given European parliament­arians’ majority endorsemen­t of the decision, discussion­s regarding Azerbaijan’s future membership in the Council of Europe have intensifie­d. Additional­ly, in January, PACE voted to reject the certificat­ion of the Azerbaijan­i delegation’s credential­s, citing failures to fulfill specific commitment­s within the Council of Europe membership framework. Hence, during the news conference with Aliyev, Erdoğan affirmed Türkiye’s commitment to safeguardi­ng Azerbaijan’s rights and reputation within PACE, vowing to persist in supporting Azerbaijan until the decision regarding the credential­s is reversed.

Erdoğan also emphasized that the full sovereignt­y of Azerbaijan over the Karabakh lands presents a historic opportunit­y for achieving lasting peace in the region, underscori­ng the imperative of preserving this window of opportunit­y.

Both leaders expressed satisfacti­on with the recent expansion of commercial relations and investment­s between Türkiye and Azerbaijan, culminatin­g in a record trade volume of $7.5 billion (TL 232.35 billion). They pledged to expedite efforts to achieve the $15 billion target in commercial relations. Additional­ly, establishi­ng the Türkiye-Azerbaijan University represents another significan­t milestone, with both leaders highlighti­ng its potential to enhance educationa­l collaborat­ion between the two countries.

Aliyev has adeptly leveraged Azerbaijan’s strategic advantages, including its geographic location and abundant natural resources, alongside successful diplomatic engagement­s with Russia and Iran. President Erdoğan’s adept diplomacy and military strategies have bolstered Türkiye’s position in the Caucasus. The collaborat­ive efforts of both leaders have not only opened new avenues for Azerbaijan and Türkiye but also held promise for the broader Turkic world.

The joint endeavors of both leaders have not only paved the way for new opportunit­ies in Azerbaijan and Türkiye but also offer potential benefits for the wider Turkic world

 ?? ?? President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan shakes hands with Azerbaijan­i President Ilham Aliyev (L) at the Presidenti­al Complex, Ankara, Türkiye, Feb. 19, 2024.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan shakes hands with Azerbaijan­i President Ilham Aliyev (L) at the Presidenti­al Complex, Ankara, Türkiye, Feb. 19, 2024.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Türkiye