Ankara:Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s recent phone call to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev marked a pivotal moment in the diplomatic relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan. The discussion, held on October 21, covered a range of topics including bilateral cooperation, as well as regional and global issues. Erdogan extended his congratulations to Azerbaijan on the 35th anniversary of its state independence and invited Aliyev to the upcoming 13th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States, which will take place in Ankara. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the fraternal ties between their nations.
According to Azeri-Press news agency, the phone conversation went beyond mere diplomacy, highlighting the political significance amid recent tensions in Azerbaijan-Turkey relations. The conversation occurred in a positive atmosphere, emphasizing the mutual trust and respect between Erdogan and Aliyev as key factors in their strategic alliance.
The call underscored the importance of personal trust between the leaders as a foundation for the Azerbaijan-Turkey relationship, which has evolved into a military-political alliance formalized by the Shusha Declaration. This alliance is crucial for regional security and the integration of the Turkic world. However, the leaders also stressed the need for mutual trust to be upheld in the political and public spheres to counter information campaigns that could damage their strategic partnership.
The conversation took place after a period of anti-Azerbaijani rhetoric and misinformation in Turkey regarding Azerbaijan’s domestic decisions. The delay in addressing these campaigns was noted as a missed opportunity to prevent the spread of tensions. It was emphasized that decisions made by Azerbaijan in line with its domestic laws should not be used as political leverage by other countries.
The phone call highlighted the need for timely and clear communication from Turkish officials to counteract radical rhetoric and maintain the integrity of bilateral relations. The strategic alliance between Azerbaijan and Turkey is a shared responsibility, requiring both nations to demonstrate political sensitivity and respect for each other’s sovereignty.
Ultimately, the Erdogan-Aliyev conversation reinforced the commitment of both countries to their strategic partnership, showing resilience against external pressures. The trust between the two leaders continues to be a crucial element in maintaining the strength of the Azerbaijan-Turkey alliance, with a focus on preventing future crises through proactive diplomatic measures.
Source Azeri-Press news agency