Turkic factor – major point of Baku-Bishkek convergence Analysing theses of President Aliyev in Kyrgyzstan

Azerbaijan's multi-vector foreign policy, which is based on the principle of maintaining a balance in relations with different centres of power, makes it possible to purposefully promote national interests both at the regional and global levels. And given the keen interest of the leading powers, in particular Russia, the United States, Western countries, in the strategically important region of the South Caucasus, Azerbaijan, having established a certain political balance in relations with global actors, has actually built its own concept of the European development model, while maintaining close integration with the Turkic world.

This fact is clearly confirmed by the specific steps and actions of the Azerbaijani government aimed at coordinating with regional countries that are part of a large Turkic civilization. Particularly indicative in this sense are the relations between Azerbaijan and Türkiye in the first place. Since both Baku and Ankara adhere to a multi-vector policy, this allows them to be present at various international venues.

For example, in June 2021, Azerbaijan and Türkiye, having signed the Shusha Declaration, entered into a military alliance, but this does not prevent each of the countries from actively cooperating within the framework of international and regional organizations, including the UN, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the Council of Turkic Cooperation and the Organization of Islamic cooperation.

The Turkic factor, based on a common religion, culture and political interests, sets a powerful tone for the rapprochement of the positions of Baku and Ankara. And the fundamentally important similarity of the foreign policy of Baku and Ankara lies also in the desire to strengthen the importance of the Turkic factor in the region and the world. Therefore, it is logical that full-fledged and effective relations between Azerbaijan and fraternal Türkiye are aimed, among other things, at rapprochement with the countries of Central Asia, which are also a significant part of the large Turkic world.

However, in the current geopolitical realities, the close cohesion of all the states of the Turkic world, although still a difficult task, is still seen as a serious threat to ardent opponents of Turkic integration, especially Armenia. Suffice it to recall the unrealized idea of creating a military bloc "Army of Turan", which was once put forward by the former president of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, and against which Armenia staged an almost global campaign.

Although in the conditions of modern globalization and the reorganization of the world order, the creation of such a powerful military-political bloc, in any case, seems unlikely, at least in the foreseeable future. However, it is by no means excluded that this idea can be put into practice in the long term, provided that the positions of each of the Turkic states are united and ready to unite into one bloc.

So far, it is obvious that Azerbaijan, like Turkey, being a secular state, stands for close coordination between all Turkic countries and for the preservation of the values of Islam. This concept also applies to the countries of the Central Asian region, which also show a serious interest in Azerbaijan, especially now, when the importance of our country has increased significantly in the international arena.

In this context, the first state visit of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to Kyrgyzstan deserves special attention, which took place on October 11 at the initiative of President Sadyr Japarov and during which he voiced two important theses. Firstly, speaking in Bishkek, the Azerbaijani president pointed out the great importance of the Declaration on Strategic Partnership, which was signed between Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan six months ago. The president stressed that this document contributed to the rise of relations between Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan to a qualitatively new, higher level.

“Today we note with satisfaction how this Declaration is being implemented. Because much of what we defined six months ago is already being transformed into the sphere of real politics today,” President Aliyev said, noting that the two countries have a common history, understand and support each other.

As for the second thesis of President Aliyev regarding Kyrgyzstan, the emphasis was placed on the importance of the Turkic factor for the two countries, as well as on the fact that today the Turkic world is gaining new potential and that both Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan are actively contributing to strengthening fraternal relations between the Turkic-speaking states.

“The summit to be held next month, I think, will be another step in strengthening our unity. We must be closer to our roots, we must rely on our traditions, on the precepts of our ancestors to preserve and protect the unique culture of our peoples to always follow the path of independence and national dignity,” the president emphasized, actually stating that it is the Turkic factor that occupies a special place in the politics of Azerbaijan. And this suggests that the Turkic factor can be regarded as a key element in the rapprochement between Baku and Bishkek.

Thus, the theses voiced by the President of Azerbaijan in Bishkek not only confirm our country’s commitment to uniting the Turkic world but also became a powerful message for him that by aggression against Azerbaijan and Türkiye, Armenia reveals the Turkophobia and Islamophobia cultivated in the nation for centuries, in which, in fact, the whole essence of Armenian foreign policy.