One nation, two states: Türkiye and Azerbaijan commemorate 33 years of diplomatic ties
Türkiye and Azerbaijan are marking the 33rd anniversary of their diplomatic relations, which were officially established in 1992, following Azerbaijan’s declaration of independence from the Soviet Union.
On the same day in 1992, the Turkish Consulate in Baku was elevated to an Embassy, officially launching bilateral diplomatic ties, Caliber.Az reports referring to Turkish media.
These relations have grown over the years, evolving into a close alliance.
Although Türkiye and Azerbaijan do not share a direct border, the two nations maintain a unique connection through Azerbaijan’s autonomous Nakhchivan exclave. Over the past three decades, their relationship has deepened significantly.
The historical foundations of the Turkish-Azerbaijani bond date back to Azerbaijan's initial declaration of independence on May 28, 1918.
During this period, the Caucasian Islamic Army played a crucial role in liberating Baku from the Dashnako-Bolshevik occupation. In return, Azerbaijan supported Türkiye in its War of Independence in 1920.
Seventy years later, Türkiye became the first country to recognize Azerbaijan’s restored state independence. The phrase "One nation, two states," coined by Azerbaijan’s leader Heydar Aliyev, became the foundation of the strong bond between the two nations.
Azerbaijan’s current president, Ilham Aliyev, has continued to prioritize strengthening relations with Türkiye, with both nations building their relationship year after year through new bilateral agreements and high-level strategic meetings.
The cooperation between Türkiye and Azerbaijan has been further strengthened through collaborative energy and transportation projects such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, the Trans-Anatolian gas pipeline, and the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway.
Both countries have expressed intentions to deepen their cooperation by advancing the Zangezur Corridor, a key infrastructure project that would connect them through a highway and railway passing through Armenia, which borders both nations.
Economically, Azerbaijan has made its largest foreign investments in Türkiye, exceeding $20 billion, while Türkiye has provided more than $13 billion in capital to Azerbaijan.
Türkiye has also supported Azerbaijan in strengthening its military capabilities, assisting in the development and training of Azerbaijani forces. Many Azerbaijani officers have been educated in Turkish military schools, and Azerbaijan’s military institutions have been upgraded to NATO standards with Türkiye’s assistance.
In line with a 2013 memorandum of agreement, both the Turkish and Azerbaijani militaries have held joint training exercises annually.
Furthermore, Türkiye has provided political and moral support to Azerbaijan during the Second Karabakh War in 2020, offering backing in its conflict with Armenia.
By Tamilla Hasanova