Azerbaijan, Türkiye enhance strategic ties through diplomatic discussions PHOTO

Azerbaijan and Türkiye have held political consultations in Ankara, reaffirming their deep-rooted alliance and commitment to regional cooperation.

The meeting was announced by Azerbaijani Ambassador Rashad Mammadov on social network X, as per Caliber.Az.

The Azerbaijani delegation was led by Azer Musayev, Director of the Regional Security Department of the Foreign Ministry, while the Turkish side was represented by Mehmet Samsar, Director of the Eastern Europe and Caucasus Department of the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

Discussions centred on strengthening political ties and expanding cooperation within international organizations.

The consultations come at a significant time, just weeks after Türkiye and Azerbaijan celebrated the 33rd anniversary of their diplomatic relations, which officially began on January 14, 1992.

On that day, Türkiye, the first country to recognize Azerbaijan’s independence following the collapse of the Soviet Union, upgraded its consulate in Baku to an embassy, marking the beginning of formal diplomatic engagement. Over the past three decades, the partnership has evolved into a strategic alliance, cemented by economic, military, and cultural cooperation.

The historical ties between Azerbaijan and Türkiye date back to Azerbaijan’s first declaration of independence on May 28, 1918. The Caucasian Islamic Army, formed with Turkish support, played a decisive role in liberating Baku from Dashnako-Bolshevik forces. In return, Azerbaijan extended its support to Türkiye during its War of Independence in 1920.

Following Azerbaijan’s re-independence in 1991, the late Azerbaijani leader Heydar Aliyev famously declared, "One nation, two states," a phrase that continues to define the relationship between the two countries. His son and successor, President Ilham Aliyev, has upheld this vision, reinforcing Azerbaijan’s strategic partnership with Türkiye through high-level meetings and landmark agreements.

The recent political consultations in Ankara reflect the enduring and ever-growing partnership between Azerbaijan and Türkiye. As both nations continue to collaborate on regional and international platforms, their alliance remains a cornerstone of stability and development in the South Caucasus and beyond.

By Tamilla Hasanova