ERDOGAN’S BAKU VISIT MENDS LONG AILING RELATIONS
Today’s Zaman
May 18 2010
Turkey
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday the unity
and brotherhood between Turkey and Azerbaijan were not determined
by gossip.
Erdogan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev inaugurated a monument
for the founder of the modern Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal
Ataturk, in Baku on Monday following their bilateral meeting and the
meeting between the delegations of Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Speaking during the inauguration, Erdogan thanked Aliyev for the
monument, saying it was very meaningful that President Aliyev chose
a location for the statue close to the Turkish Embassy in Baku.
"President Ilham Aliyev displayed the same sensitivity while choosing
a location for the Turkish Embassy in the past. Turkey-Azerbaijan
relations are very different. The reality put forward by late Ataturk
that ‘Azerbaijan’s destiny and happiness is the destiny and happiness
of Turkey’ is still valid. No matter which political party comes to
power in either country, our relations cannot be disturbed as this
relation is not one based on institutions. The relations between our
countries are based on the relation of our nations, and we are one
nation with two states. Every passing day, our political, military,
economic, cultural and commercial relations are developing. From now
on, there will be a growing Azerbaijan and growing Turkey. The status
of these two countries in the global community will be very different,"
Erdogan said.
Turkish State Minister Mehmet Aydın, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu
and Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yıldız accompanied
Prime Minister Erdogan.
Prior to coming to Azerbaijan, Erdogan was in Iran and had a bilateral
meeting with Aliyev, and a meeting between their delegations took place
in Baku. From Baku, he will be travelling to Georgia and Madrid later,
Erdogan said.
Noting that Turkey is no longer a country whose agenda is determined
by others, Erdogan said they are becoming a country that determines
the agenda. Likewise, the Azerbaijan of 10-20 years ago is no longer
there. There is an Azerbaijan going through rapid changes, Erdogan
continued, and added that President Aliyev will be remembered with
the same feelings as late President Heydar Aliyev. "I thank Ilham
Aliyev on behalf of my people and myself," Erdogan said.
He also said Turkey-Azerbaijan relations are getting stronger each
passing day and that no one should doubt this relationship. No one
should pay attention to gossip, he said, adding that the unity and
brotherhood between our countries cannot be determined by gossip. Just
as President Ilham Aliyev, Erdogan stated that he will underline
"Long live Turkish-Azerbaijani brotherhood," "Long live a bright
future" and "Long live a strong world shaped by Turkey and Azerbaijan."
Following the inauguration of the Ataturk monument, Erdogan and his
spouse, Emine Erdogan, laid a wreath on the tomb of late President
Haydar Aliyev and his wife, Zarife Aliyev.
Reconciliation with Armenia Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan said his
nation will not ratify a deal to normalize ties with Armenia until
the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute is settled.
Neither Turkey nor Armenia has ratified the October agreement to
restore diplomatic ties and reopen their shared border. Erdogan
said on Monday on a visit to Azerbaijan that the Turkish Parliament
won’t ratify the October deal until there is a settlement of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993 to protest the
Armenia-backed war by separatists in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
Nagorno-Karabakh is an enclave in Azerbaijan that has been under the
control of ethnic Armenian forces since a six-year conflict ended with
a 1994 truce. Turkey shares ethnic and cultural bonds with Azerbaijan.
Turkey and Azerbaijan to set up high-level cooperation council Turkey’s
prime minister and Azerbaijan’s president decided on Monday that their
countries shall set up a high-level strategic cooperation council.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Aliyev, Erdogan said that
fruitful talks had been held as part of his visit to the Azerbaijani
capital of Baku on Monday. Pointing to Aliyev’s upcoming visit to
Turkey in June, Erdogan said the two countries’ officials would
continue to pay visits and hold talks on political, military,
commercial, economic and cultural issues in a determined way.
Commenting on the content of his meeting with Aliyev, Erdogan said
one of the most important steps they have taken during Monday’s
gathering is the decision they have taken to set up a High-Level
Strategic Cooperation Council between their countries.
Erdogan said the establishment of such a council would contribute
to the future of relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan. Noting
that Aliyev had also informed him on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue
during their talks, Erdogan said Azerbaijan had always maintained
its positive stance on such a matter.
"Azerbaijan has reacted positively to the Minsk Group’s latest
proposal, although Armenia has not replied to it yet. This shows
Azerbaijan’s positive stance on the matter," the Turkish prime
minister said.
Noting that the Nagorno-Karabakh issue had been discussed during
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s recent visit to Turkey as well,
Erdogan said Turkey would carry on with its sensitivity on the matter.
Turkey, Azerbaijan two inseparable brothers Erdogan said on Monday
Turkey and Azerbaijan are two inseparable brothers, while speaking
to reporters after his meeting with Aliyev in Baku. Erdogan said
they are members of the same family. "As the late Aliyev expressed,
we are ‘one nation with two states.’ This principle shows itself in
achievements and is not words alone. We are two countries preparing
for the future by strengthening one another," Erdogan said.
During talks with President Aliyev on Monday, they discussed bilateral
relations, regional matters and international developments.
Erdogan said their joint efforts are fruitful in all areas. Every time
he visits Azerbaijan, Erdogan said, he notices the country has grown
further. "I am pleased to witness Azerbaijan’s growth. Azerbaijan’s
richness is our richness. Likewise, Turkey’s richness is Azerbaijan’s
richness. The tranquility in Turkey is that of Azerbaijan at the same
time," Erdogan said.
He also stressed that he was proud to witness the cooperation between
Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Meanwhile, the Azerbaijani president stated that his country and
Turkey cooperated at all times. Delivering a statement following
his meeting with Erdogan in Baku, Aliyev said Erdogan’s visit would
contribute remarkably to the improvement of relations between Turkey
and Azerbaijan.
Describing the two countries as the "friend and brother states," Aliyev
also said Turkey always displayed the same stance with Azerbaijan.
Erdogan and his delegation also visited the Turkish Martyrdom in Baku.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
