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"Nakhchivan holds a special place in our relations with Azerbaijan"

Presidency of The Republic of Turkey

25.09.2023

Addressing a joint press conference with Azerbaijani President Aliyev, President Erdoğan said: "Nakhchivan, with the strategic importance it has had throughout history, holds a special place in our relations with Azerbaijan."

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who is paying a one-day working visit to Nakhchivan, held a joint press conference with his Azerbaijani counterpart, Ilham Aliyev.

Stressing that the Türkiye-Azerbaijan relations are of a unique nature unparalleled in the world, President Erdoğan said: "In line with the principle of 'one nation, two states,' we continue our efforts aimed at strengthening our relations and cooperation in every field. The Shusha Declaration, which I and my brother Ilham have cosigned, marks a milestone elevating our relations to the alliance level."

"Nakhchivan, with the strategic importance it has had throughout history, holds a special place in our relations with Azerbaijan," stated President Erdoğan. "Nakhchivan, today also, harbors an important potential in terms of economy, transport and energy lines. I believe that we will have the opportunity to realize this potential to the fullest extent with the establishment of regional energy lines."

"THE NATURAL GAS LINE WILL CONTRIBUTE TO EUROPE'S ENERGY SUPPLY SECURITY"

Underscoring that the Coronavirus pandemic and the wars in the region have further highlighted the importance of the Trans-Caspian International East-West Middle Corridor, President Erdoğan added: "The Iğdır-Nakhchivan Natural Gas Pipeline, for which we are breaking ground now, will both deepen our energy partnership with Azerbaijan and will contribute to Europe's energy supply security. Agreements on the Kars-Nakhchivan Railway Project as well as on mass housing and electric power have just been signed. We thereby demonstrate our will to further our relations in the areas of energy, transport and logistics."

Thanking the people of Azerbaijan for their strong support to heal the wounds of the February 6 earthquakes in Türkiye, President Erdoğan said: "We shall never forget the sincerity of our brothers and sisters who loaded their cars with whatever they have in their possessions and hit the road to help our nation. This press conference will be followed by the inauguration of the Military Repair and Maintenance Complex, which we have newly modernized. This project will significantly contribute to our defense industry cooperation."

"WE EXPECT ARMENIA TO TAKE THE HAND OF PEACE EXTENDED TO ITSELF"

Touching upon the recent incidents in Karabakh, President Erdoğan said: "Critical developments have occurred in our region in recent days. Unfortunately, the legitimate and rightful concerns Azerbaijan has repeatedly raised over the past three years since the Second Karabakh War have not been duly addressed. As a result, it has had to launch an anti-terror operation in its own sovereign territory. It has been a source of pride for us that the operation has been completed successfully in an extremely short span of time with extreme care for the rights of civilians. I wish Allah's mercy on our brothers who died a martyr's death during the operation, and extend my condolences to their relatives. I wish a speedy recovery to the wounded."

Congratulating the victorious Azerbaijani army on its historic victory as well as on its humanitarian attitude towards civilians, President Erdoğan underlined that Azerbaijan has again showed the Turkish nation's justice and mercy to the entire world. "This most recent victory has opened new windows of opportunity for a comprehensive peace in the region. I believe that this opportunity should be seized. We expect Armenia to take the hand of peace extended to itself and start to take sincere steps. As I always say, there is no loser in a peace. It is our debt to our people to establish peace, tranquility and prosperity in our region. We are sincere and determined to pay this debt. It is our expectation that our interlocutors also show the same sincerity."

PRESIDENT ERDOĞAN AND PRESIDENT ALIYEV INAUGURATE NAKHCHIVAN MILITARY COMPLEX

Following the joint press conference, President Erdoğan and President Aliyev of Azerbaijan inaugurated the newly-modernized Nakhchivan Military Complex.