Turkey's Erdogan meets Azerbaijan's Aliyev in Baku

Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev met with Turkish president Recep Erdogan in Baku on Monday, at a time of heightened tensions between Azerbaijan and its neighbour Armenia. 

Dozens of Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers were killed during four days of heavy fighting at the beginning of this month. Both sides accuse the other of repeated breaches of the Russian-brokered ceasefire.

Turkey overtly supported its ally Azerbaijan during the fighting, with Erdogan saying Turkey would stand "side by side with our brothers".

These comments were criticised by other regional actors, especially Russia. "These were not appeals for peace but for war,” said foreign minister Sergei Lavrov in the Armenian capital Yerevan last week. Unlike Russia, the Turkish leadership did not immediately call for a ceasefire.

Russia sells arms to both sides, but sells them to Armenia, its ally in the Collective Treaty Security Organisation, at a discounted rate.

Aliyev and Erdogan “hailed the successful development of friendly and fraternal relations between the two countries based on strategic partnership,” according to the Azerbaijani president’s office.

They also highlighted the importance of the seventh global forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, which is taking place in Baku this week. Aliyev and Erdogan met in Istanbul just twelve days ago.

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
LINKS Europe announces the names of all the chairpersons of the five thematic groups for the development of the Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue

LINKS Europe announces the names of all the chairpersons of the five thematic groups for the development of the Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue

LINKS Europe has successfully completed the first phase of its project to develop the Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue as part of its commitment within the EU4Peace III programme, funded by the European Union. In this first phase, which lasted from September 2024 to April 2025, LINKS Europe conducted an assessment of Armenia-Azerbaijan relations and mobilised the personnel necessary for delivering the project output. LINKS Europe Foundation is pleased to announce the names of the chairs/co-chairs of the five thematic groups within the initiative.  

Popular

Editor's choice
News
LINKS Europe announces the names of all the chairpersons of the five thematic groups for the development of the Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue

LINKS Europe announces the names of all the chairpersons of the five thematic groups for the development of the Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue

LINKS Europe has successfully completed the first phase of its project to develop the Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue as part of its commitment within the EU4Peace III programme, funded by the European Union. In this first phase, which lasted from September 2024 to April 2025, LINKS Europe conducted an assessment of Armenia-Azerbaijan relations and mobilised the personnel necessary for delivering the project output. LINKS Europe Foundation is pleased to announce the names of the chairs/co-chairs of the five thematic groups within the initiative.