Türkiye's Erzurum hosts ceremony marking Azerbaijan’s victory in Second Karabakh War

A ceremony celebrating the fourth anniversary of Azerbaijan’s victory in the 44-day Second Karabakh War was held on November 5 at Atatürk University in Erzurum, Türkiye.

The event honoured the memory of the martyrs of the Karabakh wars, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

The program included a documentary screening about Azerbaijan’s historic victory. Professor Ahmet Hacimuftuoglu, the university’s rector, emphasized that the liberation of Shusha is significant not only for Azerbaijan but also for Türkiye.

He expressed Atatürk University’s willingness to contribute to strengthening the bonds between the two brotherly nations, noting that hundreds of Azerbaijani students are currently studying at the university, and that thousands more could do so in the future. Hacimuftuoglu suggested initiating distance education programs with Azerbaijan as a potential next step.

The rector also highlighted the role of the leaders of Türkiye and Azerbaijan in strengthening ties between the two nations, saying, “The brotherhood between Ankara and Baku is a powerful message to the world. We are proud to host such a meaningful celebration.”

Azerbaijan’s Consul General in Kars, Nuru Guliyev, spoke to the attendees about Azerbaijan’s journey and the challenges it has faced. He praised the successful leadership of President and Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev and the courage of the Azerbaijani army, which liberated the country’s lands from nearly 30 years of Armenian occupation. Guliyev emphasized that, unlike the Armenians, Azerbaijanis have never committed crimes against civilians and have treated them humanely. As an example, he noted the peaceful relocation of Armenians from the Karabakh region to Armenia, a process documented by international bodies.

Expressing pride in the liberation of Azerbaijan’s occupied territories, Guliyev also addressed the reestablishment of transport links between the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and eastern Azerbaijan, which will open a new route between Azerbaijan and Türkiye, further strengthening ties between the two countries.

The consul general underscored that Azerbaijan’s victory in the Patriotic War marked a turning point for the Turkic world, demonstrating the unity, solidarity, and determination of Turkic states to work together, and bringing Azerbaijan and Türkiye closer than ever.

By Khagan Isayev