Statement by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan

- Dear President, my dear brother Aliyev!

Dear participants and journalists!

ladies and gentlemen!

Today we are reaching our goal and even a summit in Turkish-Azerbaijani cooperation which Azerbaijani President, the late Heydar Aliyev described as “one nation, two states”. We are writing a new page in our history.

The wise remark by esteemed Aliyev has acquired a new meaning thanks to the Declaration on high-level strategic partnership we have just signed with my dear brother Ilham Aliyev. I want to emphasize that I consider the Council on high-level strategic partnership a fundamental piece of work serving the strengthening of this friendship and bequeathing it to future generations. Turkish-Azerbaijani cooperation is based not only on strong solidarity between our states, but also on common history and unity of our hearts. Turkish and Azerbaijani people speak the same language, have common history. Turkey and Azerbaijan have established the goal of building peace, stability and prosperity on a common geographical area.

Our relations built on this sound foundation and strengthening on the basis of the “one nation, two states” principle have reached the present perfect level as a result of development in political and economic spheres. I am sure that thanks to the Council we will pass Turkish-Azerbaijani friendship and unshakable cooperation on to future generations.

Over a short period of time we have witnessed tangible benefits of a mechanism we established earlier with Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Russia and Greece for both bilateral and regional cooperation. It is beyond doubt that this mechanism will also contribute a lot to Turkish-Azerbaijani cooperation. Thus, the sub-commissions established within the Council will ensure regular revision of our relations in all spheres, serve progress in different area and eliminate the drawbacks that have formed in the public opinion. The Council on high-level strategic partnership is also evidence of our determination to carry on the banner passed on to us by Ataturk, who said that “Azerbaijan’s joy is ours, Azerbaijan’s grief is ours too”, and Heydar Aliyev who has said the words “one nation, two states”.

On this remarkable day I want to express special appreciation to my dear brother, President Ilham Aliyev, for cooperation in establishing the Council.

I am also grateful to our officials, ministers and government officers who have worked hard to prepare the agreement for signing in a short period of time.

As I mentioned earlier, Turkey and Azerbaijan are two fraternal countries bound together by bonds unseen elsewhere in the world. The Council on high-level strategic partnership will become fundamental work strengthening this fraternity. With these expectations I would like to wish the Turkish-Azerbaijani Council on high-level strategic partnership every success in developing our bilateral relations and regional cooperation, and reaffirm my highest consideration.

Statement by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev

- Dear Prime Minister!

My dear brother!

It is a truly historic day today and I am very glad that we are together on this day. I am very pleased to be visiting fraternal Turkey again. I am sure that the historic document signed today will contribute to further development of relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan.

You have mentioned that our peoples have had friendly and brotherly relations for centuries. Today these relations are being filled with a new content, being elevated to a new level. In essence, these ties are the foundation of relations between our countries. We are building these relations on a solid foundation. Since Azerbaijan regained its state independence, our relations with Turkey have always been developing and strengthening. Today these relations have reached the level of alliance.

We remember very well that Turkey was the first country to recognize our independence. Since the very beginning, from the first day of our independence, Turkey has always been with us. Today we successfully cooperate in different spheres. This cooperation is rapidly developing. The document signed today has tremendous importance for the development and expansion of this cooperation.

Today you recalled remarks by the great son of the Azerbaijani people, my father Heydar Aliyev. This is very valuable for us. I am very glad that his words and work are still remembered in Turkey, a country he loved with all his heart. I am sure that his spirit is here with us today.

We are also paying tribute to the great son of the Turkic world, outstanding leader Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who will always live in the hearts of Azerbaijani people. His words are a bright road for our relations. Therefore, our relations are being built on a solid foundation, and I am sure that the present and future generations will further strengthen this friendship and brotherhood. We must enable future generations to hold this banner high too. Our friendship, our fraternity are above all, they are and will be eternal.

Today’s ceremony is of great importance. In essence, the document signed today somewhat sums up the work done to this end and outlines ways for further development of our partnership. The establishment of the Council on high-level strategic partnership is not just an agreement. It will enable us to plan and coordinate our work in all spheres and achieve even greater results in all sectors. This agreement covers all spheres. Political relations which are at the highest level today, trade contacts, mutual investment, cooperation in the energy, oil and gas sectors, transport, railway projects, cultural and humanitarian fields – in other words, there is no sector that would remain uncovered by this agreement. It will enable us to achieve successful, dynamic and more organized progress of Turkish-Azerbaijani cooperation, even greater unity and closer cooperation between our peoples. 

On this historic day I would first of all like to thank my brother, dear Mr. Prime Minister, for his efforts and initiative that led to the signing of the agreement. I would also like to join the words of my dear brother and thank all our friends who worked on this document.

It is a legal but at the same time a very sincere document. It is not just an agreement between two countries. This is a document binding hearts, peoples together and expressing our kind intentions. This work will live on and make us richer and happier. Thank you.