The recent biased information campaign against Azerbaijan in some Turkish media outlets and on social media platforms, as well as unfounded accusations against the country by certain lawmakers from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and Oktay Saral, Chief Adviser to the President of the Republic of Türkiye, have caused serious concern and regret within the Azerbaijan–Türkiye Interparliamentary Relations Working Group, the Press and Public Relations Department of the Milli Majlis told APA.
The statement noted that Azerbaijan and Türkiye maintain relations of friendship, brotherhood, and strategic alliance: "Azerbaijan is an independent and sovereign state that determines its domestic and foreign policies in accordance with its national interests and Constitution. The principle of 'One nation, two states,' established by National Leader Heydar Aliyev, specifically envisages the existence of two independent and sovereign states. Distorting the essence of this principle and using it as a basis for interfering in Azerbaijan's internal affairs or imposing external political and ideological approaches on Azerbaijani society is unacceptable.
Azerbaijan's secular state structure and freedom of religion are guaranteed by the Constitution. Our country's education policy is based on the principles of secularism, equality, and the creation of equal opportunities for all citizens. The rules applied in educational institutions apply equally to all citizens and are not directed against any religious affiliation. Politicizing these issues on religious and ideological grounds and making unfounded accusations against Azerbaijan's constitutional system and education policy are unacceptable.
The use of insulting and defamatory expressions against the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Victorious Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, our people, their history, and prominent figures is also unacceptable and causes justified dissatisfaction among the Azerbaijani public. We regret to note that the ruling AKP has taken no steps to prevent any of this. The tolerant attitude toward provocative demonstrations outside Azerbaijan's diplomatic missions in Türkiye, as well as calls for such actions, also raises a number of questions.
We believe that the special nature of Azerbaijan–Türkiye relations requires adherence to the principles of political responsibility, mutual respect, and non-interference in each other's internal affairs. Statements by individual political figures should not damage relations between the two countries.
As the Azerbaijan–Türkiye Interparliamentary Relations Working Group, we expect the relevant political circles in Türkiye, including representatives of the ruling political party in parliament, to approach these sensitive issues responsibly, demonstrate respect for Azerbaijan's sovereignty and constitutional system, and refrain from statements that could negatively affect our relations."
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