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Ali Hasanov: In near future Azerbaijan, Turkey will expand opportunities of speaking with one voice

11 December 2014 12:10 (UTC +04:00)

This was stated by Ali Hasanov, Head of the Department for Public and Political Issues at the Presidential Administration, during the conference entitled “Turkish and Azerbaijani media: Historical comparisons and transition from traditional media to online media”, APA reports.

A. Hasanov said the two countries are together: “Our heads of state – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev – support the countries’ interests in all issues and take steps toward common targets, our diaspora organizations in foreign counties serve the same ambition, our diplomatic corpses and embassies regularly operate within mutual relations, consulting with each other on a continuous basis, and are stepping toward the same goals. If so, why shall their media agencies not cooperate? When the head of a state which is considered to be an outpost, Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan, was speaking out against Turkey at an event held recently as part of the European Union’s Eastern Partnership program, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev responded to him with the answer “Turkey is absent. But I’m here and I will give your answer”. This statement is an indicator of relations between the two countries at the level of heads of state,” he said.

According to him, Azerbaijani media outlets have become leading media structures of the region thanks to the steps taken after 1993 to develop the freedom of speech and information. He said there is a need to broaden opportunities of all media outlets in the Muslim world and their activities in the context of common interests.

“Our initiative to create a journalist community of the Islamic countries was welcomed at the at the Conference of the Information Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation held in Iran a few days ago, and it was also proposed to hold a constitutive meeting in Baku. Unfortunately, we get information about the developments in the world, including the Muslim world from CNN and BBC. However, while exploring the news, serious noncompliance is revealed between the developments and the news which doesn’t reflect the reality. Do the transnational media describe what is happening in Syria, Gaza and Karabakh truly? Of course not. As a result of lack of collaboration between journalists from the Islamic countries, Muslims are introduced to world community as terrorists. All we know what the Islamic civilization contributed to the world,” he said.

A. Hasanov mentioned that when the campaign launched in connection with the opening of Turkish-Armenian border a few years ago, the Azerbaijani and Turkish media demonstrated a strong will and even showed an example for state officials.

“Turkey has stated that it will not open borders with the country which has occupied Azerbaijan's territories and build relations until the liberation of these territories. Turkish people and government demonstrated their will with the closure of borders in 1993. Those who oppose it should know that they will face journalists as well. Armenians are currently carrying out a campaign on the so-called “Armenian genocide” committed in 1915. Sometimes it seems that this campaign is largely directed against Azerbaijan rather than against Turkey, because the activities of Azerbaijani media outlets and NGOs are more effective than the activities of Turkish ones.

A. Hasanov said Azerbaijan and Turkey media will further make joint efforts, stressing Azerbaijani journalists are in practice in Turkish media and television channels and Turkish media representatives in Azerbaijan.

“Turkey has one of the 20 the most powerful economies in the world. Today Azerbaijan is able to contribute to Turkey’s power and will invest $20 billion in this country. All of this will further expand opportunities for Azerbaijan and Turkey to speak with one voice. I would like to note in advance that it does not and will not threaten anyone’s interest. Today we are fighting for Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. As a member of the international community, we don’t want anything more. Azerbaijan and Turkey does not want anything than they have given to the word,” he added.