Analysis: Turkish-Azerbaijani relations, more than just policy

By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:

Turkey's 12th president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, paid an official visit to Azerbaijan on Sept.3. On the eve of the visit, the head of state said in his statement that a visit to Azerbaijan as the first country a Turkish president visits is now a tradition.

Relations and cooperation between the two countries in the political, economic, military and cultural fields were the subjects of discussion during this short but important visit. And of course the subject dear to the hearts of both leaders is the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The development of relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey, the discussion of cooperation in military, economic and political spheres, in particular in the defense industry have a set pattern, as the relations between the two countries are based on the 'one nation - two states' principle.

During the meeting, the two presidents discussed the Trans-Anatolian gas pipeline construction project (TANAP) which is of great regional and global importance. They also focused on other economic projects in the region.

The overview of the history of Azerbaijani-Turkish relations shows that these relations have progressively developed since Azerbaijan gained independence.

The chronology of the relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey shows that Turkey supports Azerbaijan in all issues, as well as in the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. For its part, Azerbaijan also fully supports Turkey.

Turkish officials have always stated that their country's position on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue will remain unchanged.

Pounding the nail home, the new Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said in his statement that peace and stability in the South Caucasus, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement only within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan are priority issues for Ankara.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said that the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh will be included in the agenda of the NATO summit in Wales.

He stressed that it is necessary to fulfill the promises that were given to Azerbaijan at the NATO summit, as the promises given to other countries are fulfilled.

"This is the right of Azerbaijan," President Erdogan said. "The promises given to the country must be fulfilled. Turkey is ready to show determination on this issue."

Thus, one can stress with confidence that no matter who is in power in Turkey, Ankara's position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict remains unchanged.

It would be wrong to assess the Turkish president's visit to Azerbaijan as a protocol visit.

The fact that Turkish newly elected President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is the most powerful political figure in the country after winning the municipal elections in March 2014, visited Azerbaijan testifies to the fact that our country is very important for Turkey.

Following the municipal elections, many analysts in Turkey assumed that President Erdogan would pay his first visit to the United States.

However, Azerbaijan remains an all-imoportant port of call, as was demonstrated this Wednesday by Erdogan's visit.