The main points of the Erdogan-Aliyev press conference announcements

S.t. on February 19, the presidents of Azerbaijan and Turkey, Ilham Aliyev and Recep Erdogan, had a bilateral meeting in Ankara.

The face-to-face meeting was followed by an extended session. As we have already reported, after the negotiations, bilateral agreements were signed, then the presidents held a joint press conference.

Below we present the main points of the statements of the leaders of the two countries.

R. T. Erdogan

"The presidential elections held on February 7 are of historical significance, as they were held for the first time in the sovereign territory of Azerbaijan. I wish that the results of the elections will be in the interest of the Turkish-Azerbaijani relations and the fraternal Azerbaijani people."

"We protested against the decisions taken at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, which hinder the participation of the Azerbaijani delegation in the events to be held this year."

"Our cooperation is developing under the speech of national leader Heydar Aliyev, "One nation, two states". Our total trade turnover reached 7.5 billion dollars for the first time last year. We are committed to further efforts to bring it to $15 billion."

"We must develop the potential of our countries in the fields of transport and energy. A good example is the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line. It is important to fully use the advantages of this road, which is why it is necessary to complete the modernization works as soon as possible."

"The signing of a long-term peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia will certainly become a new source of hope for peace and stability both in our region and throughout the world. In this process, we act together, shoulder to shoulder with Azerbaijan."

"After the end of the occupation of Karabakh, a window of historical opportunities has opened for long-term peace in our region. It is very important that this window of opportunity does not close. Armenia should evaluate this process through the prism of a long-term strategic perspective. We encourage third parties to contribute constructively to the process, not disrupt it."

"I would like to express hope that the events that took place on the border of the two countries a few days ago will not be repeated."

"In the coming period, we will continue to walk together with Azerbaijan with the right of our brotherhood and in the spirit stipulated in the Shushi Declaration."
I. Aliev

"Today, the word of Turkey is heard all over the world. Many issues not only in our region but also in the world depend on Turkey's position. Turkey is the guarantor of peace, stability and cooperation in our region."

"Turkey's powerful industrial potential, its powerful economy, as well as its military power amaze everyone."

"In November 2020, the second Karabakh war ended, as a result of which Azerbaijan liberated most of its occupied territory. And Turkey was by our side for all 44 days."

"In the first hours of the war, my dear brother's very decisive and clear statements sent a serious message to many and deterred many from getting involved in this matter. "Azerbaijan is not alone, Turkey is next to Azerbaijan." this political and moral support was enough for us, we solved our historical issue in just 44 days, which we could not solve peacefully for 30 years."

- The Azerbaijani people will never forget this brotherly support. The support we received after the second Karabakh war brought the bilateral relations to a new height. Today, based on the Declaration of Allied Relations, we are together in all issues, hitting the same target.

"The unofficial summit of the Organization of Turkic States will take place in Shushi in July this year. The President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which has observer status, will also participate in this meeting, and it will give another powerful impetus to our common cause, the cause of the unity of the Turks."

"Last year, 9 billion cubic meters of natural gas was exported from Azerbaijan to Turkey. Based on the agreements reached, it is planned to increase the gas volumes."

"The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway should be fully operational in the middle of this year to increase the volume of cargo transportation to 1 million tons."

"One of the important directions of our cooperation is cooperation in the military field. Our armies have become one fist. Each year, both Turkey and Azerbaijan hold at least 10 military exercises, and thus our military power increases even more. The second Karabakh war and then the anti-terrorist operation we carried out five months ago showed once again that the model of the Turkish army has already taken root in Azerbaijan. The anti-terrorist operation carried out in Karabakh completely confirmed the sovereignty of our country, there is no more place for separatist forces in the territory of Azerbaijan and there will never be."

"An important agreement was signed in the field of education. This is an initiative aimed at the future, because our young generation, both in Turkey and Azerbaijan, should be brought up with the principles of brotherhood, alliance, common values, be loyal to our national and spiritual values."