FM: Azerbaijani-Turkish relations have no global analogues

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has said that Azerbaijani-Turkish relations have no global analogues.

“There are many formats between our countries,” he said at a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan on December 14 in Baku, Report informs.

"We often meet, talk on the phone. The year 2023 is very important in the history of our countries. This year has been fruitful in terms of Turkish-Azerbaijani relations," the minister stressed.

Talking about investments, Bayramov said: "In the first 10 months of 2023, our trade turnover approached $7 billion. Azerbaijan invested $20 billion in Türkiye’s economy, and Türkiye invested $15 billion in Azerbaijan's economy. We believe that we can achieve even higher figures in many spheres," Bayramov said.

He noted that during today's (December 14) meeting the activities of Turkish companies in the liberated territories were also discussed.

Bayramov also said that Azerbaijan's anti-terrorist measures taken on September 19-20, return of former IDPs, mine threat, etc. were discussed at the meeting.

"A historic opportunity has appeared for the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and Hakan Fidan and I fully agree with this. During the talks, I informed about the view of the Azerbaijani side, Armenia's next comments. Azerbaijan's position on this issue will be presented shortly," the Minister said.

The foreign minister noted that Azerbaijan and Türkiye believe that peace and normal neighbourhood should be restored between the neighbours: "We have the same position with Türkiye on this issue. We expect that the Armenian side will take steps in the same spirit. Then the positive results are very real."

Bayramov noted that today's discussions will serve to further develop relations between Azerbaijan and Türkiye.

Moreover, the minister said: "The trilateral and multilateral formats that exist with the participation of our countries, other neighbouring countries are of great importance in the implementation of several projects in the region. We believe that we will have several meetings in the trilateral format in the coming months.”

Azerbaijan has always openly expressed its position on the normalisation of relations in the post-conflict period.

Bayramov noted that Azerbaijan supported holding negotiations on a bilateral basis, including with the participation of a third, impartial party: "Türkiye also neighbours Armenia. As a regional country, Türkiye supports the establishment of peace, stability and development in the region. If Armenia follows this logic, it would be favourable for Armenia to see Türkiye at the negotiating table. Now the decision is on Armenia's table. Azerbaijan has recently supported the normalisation of relations between Turkey and Armenia".

He further went on to say, the latest agreement between the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration and the Armenian Prime Minister's Office is a serious achievement.

Bayramov noted that this agreement was reached without the participation of a third party.

For his part, Turkish Minister Hakan Fidan said that “our historical task is to develop relations in all spheres.”

Fidan noted that Türkiye strives to fulfil the provisions of the Shusha Declaration: "First of all, security is of paramount importance in terms of communications and laying power lines. The Protocol of Intentions on the Kars-Nakhchivan railway was signed during the Turkish President's visit to Nakhchivan. The expansion of the TAP project is also important. We have taken our cooperation in the energy sector to a new level after laying the Igdir-Nakhchivan gas pipeline".

The Turkish minister said Azerbaijan has secured full sovereignty over its territory as a result of anti-terrorist measures.

Fidan said that peace in the South Caucasus is important for all: "Therefore, all sides should strive for peace. Unfortunately, the Armenian lobby in the West is trying to pit certain networks against Azerbaijan. It will be better if these countries work towards the normalisation of Azerbaijani-Armenian relations.”

“We also appreciate the recent agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia. We are very close to peace and stability in the region. We will continue close contacts with Azerbaijan in this direction," Fidan added.

“We support discussions towards the normalisation of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia and are ready to fulfil any tasks set before us in this sphere. We object to wrong approaches of some countries,” Fidan said.

The minister said he discussed normalisation of relations with Armenia with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev today, on December 14.

He also went on to say that the United States is the only country standing in the way between a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the continuation of hostilities, and the latest UN vote proved it.

"The UN decision on Gaza demonstrates the international community's endeavour to put an end to the ongoing oppression there. The US should not continue to prevent the UN from making decisions," Fidan said.

The Turkish minister emphasised that only the US stands in the way of a ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave.