Erdogan backs Azerbaijan's push for South Caucasus peace

ISTANBUL:

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday reaffirmed Turkiye's support for Azerbaijan's efforts to establish lasting peace in the South Caucasus, saying the liberation of Karabakh had opened the door to a new era in the region.

"Just as we have supported Azerbaijan's just struggle, we also support its sincere efforts to establish lasting peace in our region," Erdogan said at a joint news conference with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Shusha, celebrating the sixth anniversary of the liberation of Karabakh.

Speaking after a bilateral meeting with Aliyev at the Shusha Governor's Office, Erdogan said he was pleased to be in Azerbaijan for the sixth anniversary of the Karabakh victory.

He also recited verses praising Shusha, describing it as a city that warms the heart like a cherished saying and a glowing ember, adorned with fragrant roses.

Erdogan expressed his respect and gratitude to those who lost their lives in the struggle for Karabakh's liberation and thanked veterans for their sacrifices, wishing them health and long lives.

He said the Azerbaijani people, united under Aliyev's leadership, had restored Karabakh's freedom through great heroism, describing the victory as a reflection of Azerbaijan's just cause and a source of pride for the entire Turkic world.

Erdogan said Azerbaijan's liberation of its territories from occupation during the 44-day Second Karabakh War in 2020 had ushered in a new era in the South Caucasus.

"The task before us today is to crown the victory achieved on the battlefield with lasting peace and stability," he said.

He also praised Azerbaijan's ongoing reconstruction efforts in the territories.

"We greatly appreciate Azerbaijan's efforts to rebuild Karabakh and restore the region to its former vitality," he said.

"Every home with a renewed hearth, every structure rising and every piece of historical heritage being restored in Karabakh demonstrate the Azerbaijani people's confidence in the future," Erdogan said, adding that Türkiye would continue sharing its experience and contributing to reconstruction and development efforts.

He highlighted several joint projects as examples of bilateral cooperation, including the Türkiye-Azerbaijan International Forestry Training Center and Nursery Facilities established in Cebrayil with contributions from Türkiye's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

Erdogan said construction had also begun on a 40-classroom school covering 14,500 square meters in Aghdam, adding that he hoped to inaugurate the facility with Aliyev next year.

Referring to infrastructure developments during his journey from Fuzuli International Airport to Shusha, Erdogan noted that the delegation had passed through seven tunnels.

Turkiye-Azerbaijan ties

Highlighting the deep-rooted ties between the two countries, Erdogan said relations between Türkiye and Azerbaijan had reached their current advanced level after passing through various tests of history.

"Relations between Türkiye and Azerbaijan have reached their current advanced level after passing through various tests of history. This unity of hearts, which we describe with the motto 'one nation, two states,' is an everlasting torch that draws strength from our shared past and illuminates our future," he said.

He emphasized that the bond between the two nations went far beyond their shared language, history and culture.

"This is why we regard Baku's joy as Ankara's joy and Shusha's pride as the pride of our entire nation," Erdogan said.