Türkiye appoints new ambassador to Azerbaijan

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has announced the appointment of a new ambassador to Azerbaijan.

President of the Maarif Foundation Birol Akgün will become the new Turkish ambassador to Azerbaijan, Caliber.Az reports via Turkish media.

To recap, the outgoing Turkish ambassador to Baku is Cahit Bağcı, who took office in April 2021.

As an ambassador, Bağcı has been actively involved in strengthening the relations between Türkiye and Azerbaijan, including facilitating the transfer of bilateral relations into frameworks like the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). 

Akgün played a significant role in Türkiye's educational outreach. The Maarif Foundation, established in 2014, operates schools worldwide with a focus on promoting Turkish education and aligning with President Erdoğan's political goals. Under Akgün's leadership, the foundation has grown rapidly taking over hundreds of schools, particularly those once affiliated with the Gülen movement, in countries such as Afghanistan, Sudan, and Somalia. As of 2022, Maarif operated over 400 schools across 49 countries. In addition to the foundation’s educational activities, Akgün has emphasized the role of these institutions in promoting Turkish culture, values, and language. 

 By Khagan Isayev