Chairman of the Council of Elders of the Organization of Turkic States, Former Prime Minister of Turkey, Deputy Chairman of Justice and Development Party Binali Yildirim’s interview with APA
– Firstly, let’s talk about relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey. Dear Mr. Binali, how do you evaluate these relations?
– When saying Turkey-Azerbaijan, first of all, national leader Heydar Aliyev’s expression of “Two states, one nation” comes into mind. At the same time, the expression of Gazi Mustafa Kamal Ataturk, “Azerbaijan’s joy is our joy, Azerbaijan’s sorrow is our sorrow” is proof of the relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan. For this reason, the first country recognizing the independence of Azerbaijan 30 years ago, was Turkey and from that day until today, our country has been providing necessary support to Azerbaijan’s development, prosperity, and security. Azerbaijan also reciprocally does its utmost in supporting Turkey. Big projects such as energy security, transport are carried out based on the broad prescience of Mr. President Ilham Aliyev, and Mr. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Baku-Tbilisi-Gars railway line, Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, TANAP, TAP projects are not only between Azerbaijan and Turkey but also are projects that provide security in the energy and logistics field of the Middle East, all Caucasus, even Europe.
– What are your thoughts about the leadership role of President Ilham Aliyev in resulting the 44-day Patriotic War with victory?
– First of all, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Azerbaijan gained its independence with other countries in the region, but, unfortunately, Armenia took advantage and by violating Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, which newly gained independence, and occupied Karabakh. As our Azerbaijani brothers newly restored their independence in a transition period, they were not able to give Armenia a sufficient response. Of course, Armenia did not do this occupation alone. There were countries that supported it. Unfortunately, we experienced together the bitter results of it. Then there were some activities of several international organizations-the UN, OSCE Minsk group, however, these activities did not yield any positive results, they held meetings, separated, but the occupation of Karabakh continued. Until a year ago. Azerbaijan’s regular army was established, Turkey’s 150 years of military experience was taught to our Azerbaijani servicemen. As no results were obtained from the negotiations table, we have an expression: “If you have nails, scratch your head”. In other words, Azerbaijan also made a decision about itself. Of course, it was not an easy issue. Making such a decision demanded leadership and courage, and Mr. Ilham Aliyev was able to do it with dignity. And all these activities bore fruit in the 44-day war.
Alhamdulillah, 30 years of occupation has ended, consequently, the Azerbaijani flag has been hoisted on the peak of Shusha. With this, Ilham Aliyev's principle “Karabakh is Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani flag will be waved in Karabakh” has been implemented. So, the bleeding wound of years has been prevented. We have witnessed the leadership of Mr. Ilham Aliyev and the support of our President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in this Victory. Taking this opportunity, I wish God's mercy to all our martyrs who died in the 44-day Karabakh war, and good and long lives to our veterans.
– How do you evaluate the Shusha Declaration?
– I once again witnessed while visiting the event held in Shusha by the participation of our presidents that The Shusha Declaration is a document in which the 44-day victory was declared to the world and the Azerbaijani-Turkish brotherhood and solidarity were declared to all friends and enemies. This declaration confirms also with a document that the occupation period is already a piece of the past. The Shusha declaration opens a new page for Azerbaijan’s development. The opening of the Zangazur corridor, the restoration of roads and infrastructure along the Lachin corridor, the return of refugees and displaced persons to their homes, and many other issues have been signed in this document. Those articles are being implemented one by one currently. Last week, Mr. Ilham Aliyev was in Brussel, He has visited Russia before that, meetings, activities are underway, I believe that God willing, Azerbaijan’s future will be beautiful.
– By the way, December 24 is the birthday of the Azerbaijani President Mr. Ilham Aliyev. How would you characterize the personality and political activity of Mr. Ilham Aliyev?
– Before everything, I congratulate birthday of Mr. Ilham Aliyev. May God bestow Mr. President many more years of leadership and service to Azerbaijan together with his family and nation. I would like to mention that I knew Ilham Aliyev many years ago. While implementation of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars project, we have held frequent meetings and within the framework of these meetings, he has given great support to us. During that period, I have witnessed the rich worldview of Mr. Ilham Aliyev, his ability to make flexible decisions, and witnessed that how principal he behaves in the solution of the problems. I very enjoyed working together with him, my activity on the basis of his instructions.
In addition to leadership, Mr. Ilham Aliyev also has very modest, humane qualities. He is very humble in his communication with people and social relations. He has not an act like “I am a President and a person in front of me is an ordinary person”. Mr. Ilham Aliyev gives value to a person because he is a person. O, insana insan olduğu üçün dəyər verir. Ottoman state has 600 years of tradition: “Keep a person alive so that the state lives”. This concept also shows itself in the personality of Mr. Ilham Aliyev. Everyone should know that the 84 mln population of Turkey and Azerbaijani people are brothers, one nation, two states, and this brotherhood will last forever. We will share and increase our joys, and if we have sorrow, we will also share and decrease it, this cultural journey of Azerbaijan and Turkey will always continue.
These days we have held a presentation ceremony of a book called “Bərabər yürüdük biz bu yollarda” (We walked together on these roads) talking about Azerbaijani-Turkish brotherhood, a friendship of our presidents and Shusha, and 44 days of Karabakh Victory in Ankara, and this is another proof of our unshakable relations.
I very much thank our Azerbaijani brothers and send my love and respect from here.
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