Dear conference participants!

I sincerely greet you, the participants of the international conference “Azerbaijan-Turkiye strategic alliance is a source of peace and stability for the Caucasus and the wider region” in Shusha and wish the conference success.

A year ago, on 15 June 2021, the signing of the “Shusha Declaration on Allied Relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Turkiye” elevated the relations between our friendly, brotherly and strategically partner countries to a qualitatively new level.

The signing of the Shusha Declaration on 15 June, the Day of National Salvation, which is a significant date for the people and state of Azerbaijan, and the organization of an international conference in this regard a year later has a symbolic and moral significance. The deepening of the strategic partnership between the two brotherly countries is an example for future generations of brilliant personalities of the Turkic world – Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who said that “Azerbaijan's joy is ours and Azerbaijan’s sorrow is ours too” and Heydar Aliyev, who said that “Turkiye and Azerbaijan are one nation and two states”.

The Shusha Declaration is an important document showing that our multifaceted relations are at the highest level.

The Shusha Declaration, signed 100 years after the Kars Agreement, is based on our common history, reflects modern realities, and defines strategic directions of the current and future cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkiye. The fulfillment of the obligations arising from the Declaration serves to deepen the cooperation between our countries in various fields, regional integration and security, to multiply the national strength of Azerbaijan and Turkiye, and to strengthen their positions of authority in the world.

It is a matter of pride that Azerbaijan and Turkiye are the most spiritually and politically close countries in the world. There are many factors that unite us: history, culture, ethnic roots, language, religion, national values, national interests and the brotherhood of our peoples. All this makes our unshakable unity possible. Today, Azerbaijan and Turkiye are a unique example of an alliance determined by common political will and joint action to achieve future goals.

I would like to note with satisfaction that the strong solidarity between our two countries is also important for the development of relations in the Turkic world. This creates the basis and ushers ample opportunities for the Turkic states to achieve national and strategic goals by responding to the challenges of the time in the new world order, and opens new prospects for Turkic-speaking countries.

I am confident that the international conference organized by the New Azerbaijan Party and the Justice and Development Party, which have won the unshakable trust of our peoples, will be discussed in a fruitful manner. I look forward to useful proposals being made to further strengthen our alliance. I also hope that the conference will make a worthy contribution to further strengthening solidarity, friendship, brotherhood and partnership in the Turkic world.

I cordially greet you once again and wish you every success in your activities.

Ilham Aliyev

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Baku, 14 June 2022