Former Turkish envoy: Ankara and Baku share strategic strength

A former Turkish ambassador to Azerbaijan has praised President Ilham Aliyev’s regional strategy, saying it plays a key role in restoring transport links and strengthening the Middle Corridor.

Speaking to Azerbaijan’s state news agency, Hulusi Kılıç, who previously served as Türkiye’s ambassador in Baku, highlighted the importance of opening a direct route between the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and Azerbaijan’s western regions.

Kılıç said the name of the future route — whether referred to as the Zangezur Corridor or the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP) — was of secondary importance. What mattered, he argued, was ensuring the route served Azerbaijan’s interests and allowed uninterrupted passenger and freight transport, including rail links, between Nakhchivan and the rest of the country.

He also drew attention to the start of construction on the Kars–Nakhchivan railway, which he said would create a continuous transport system between Türkiye and Azerbaijan and open up new opportunities for global trade, particularly among Turkic states.

According to Kılıç, expanding trade and economic ties along the Middle Corridor could provide a strong boost to unity and prosperity across the Turkic world.

He stressed the need for cohesion within the Organisation of Turkic States at a time of global instability and what he described as the effective paralysis of international legal institutions.

Kılıç described President Aliyev’s initiatives to deepen cooperation among Turkic countries as “historic” and “highly valuable”, adding that defence cooperation should be a priority area. He pointed to regular joint military exercises between Azerbaijan and Türkiye as a successful model, saying Ankara’s defence experience had contributed to the development of Azerbaijan’s armed forces, which he described as among the strongest in the region.

Concluding his remarks, Kılıç said ties between Türkiye and Azerbaijan were unmatched globally. “The strength of Ankara is the strength of Baku, and vice versa,” he said, adding that the unity between the two countries enhanced their international standing and influence across the wider Turkic world.