Menu
Latest
Menu
Latest
News

Turkish Defence Minister pledges support to Azerbaijan in conflict with Armenia

14 August 2020

Turkish Defence Minister, Hulusi Akar, who is currently on a visit to Azerbaijan has said that Turkey will stand with Azerbaijan in its conflict with Armenia. 

 "We stand by Azerbaijan against Armenia, which committed genocide in Khojaly in front of the whole world and occupied Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan is not alone," Akar said. The remarks were carried in a video broadcast by the Turklish Anadolu News Agency where Akar was seen reading from notes.

The Defence Minister arrived in Azerbaijan on Wednesday evening accompanied by senior officials of the Turkish Army, Air Force and Navy to observe the end of the first phase of military manoevres between the armies and air forces of Turkey and Azerbaijan which have been taking place in recent days.

Earlier on Thursday (13 August), the Turkish Defence Minister spoke about the significance of the military exercises.

"Azerbaijan-Turkey joint military exercises have been successfully implemented. This and subsequent exercises demonstrate to the world the common attitude of the two brotherly countries against threats and dangers.

"We once again strongly condemn the treacherous provocation committed by Armenia in the Tovuz region of Azerbaijan. We offer our condolences to the people of Azerbaijan, patience, and strength to the Armed Forces. We feel deeply the pain you are experiencing as a nation. Our strong support for Azerbaijan's rights and territorial integrity will continue as it has been so far. As Turkey, with a population of 83 million, we stand by our brothers until the end in the struggle to liberate the occupied territories of Azerbaijan," he said.

Commonspace.eu political editor siad in a comment that whilst this is not the first time that senior Turkish officials have expressed support for Azerbaijan in its dispute with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh, the context of these statements, the choice of words, and the emphasis being put, give them additional meaning and significance. It is clear that Turkey is now going out of its way to express its support for Azerbaijan and this at a particularly sensitive moment in the region. The statement by the Turkish Defence Minister also comes a day after Azerbaijan president Ilham Aliyev phoned Russian president Vladimir Putin to protest against Russian delivery of military supplies to Armenia, which he said had been provided since the recent border clashes in July. Aliyev claimed that 400 tons of supplies had been delivered by air via Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan airspace.

source: commonspace.eu with Anadolou News Agency, Ankara and APA, Baku.

photo: Turkish and Azerbaijani soldiers who participated in joint exercises held in August 2020 (picture courtesy of the press service of the Ministry of Defence of Azerbaijan)

Related articles

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

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

9 June 2021
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
Armenia and Azerbaijan edge closer to a peace deal
Trending

Armenia and Azerbaijan edge closer to a peace deal

22 April 2024
Armenia and Azerbaijan last week announced they had agreed on the process of demarcation of their border in the Tavush region that will result in the return of four villages that had been under Armenian control since the conflict in the 1990s to Azerbaijan. The agreement is being seen as a milestone event that will greatly contribute to finalising the process leading towards the signing of a peace agreement between the two countries, who have been in conflict for more than three decades. The agreement comes after months of negotiations, and controversy, including some opposition from Armenian residents in the proximity of the four villages. On 19 April, it was announced that the eighth meeting of the Committee on Demarcation and Border Security of the State Border between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State Committee on the Demarcation of the State Border between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia was held under the chairmanship of Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan and Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafaev. There are of course many small details that will have to be ironed out later, but the fact that the sides have agreed the basic parameters, and especially their re-affirmation that they will "be guided by Alma Ata's 1991 Declaration in the demarcation process" is a huge step forward. No wonder that the international community in the last few days have lined up to congratulate the two sides on their success and to nudge them forward to complete the process of signing a peace agreement between them. Seasoned observers now see the signing of such an agreement as being truly within reach. Of course, there will be those who for one reason or another will not like these developments and will try to spoil the process. Armenia and Azerbaijan must remain focused on overcoming any last obstacles, and on its part, the international community must also remain focused in helping them do so as a priority.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
Armenia and Azerbaijan edge closer to a peace deal
Trending

Armenia and Azerbaijan edge closer to a peace deal

22 April 2024
Armenia and Azerbaijan last week announced they had agreed on the process of demarcation of their border in the Tavush region that will result in the return of four villages that had been under Armenian control since the conflict in the 1990s to Azerbaijan. The agreement is being seen as a milestone event that will greatly contribute to finalising the process leading towards the signing of a peace agreement between the two countries, who have been in conflict for more than three decades. The agreement comes after months of negotiations, and controversy, including some opposition from Armenian residents in the proximity of the four villages. On 19 April, it was announced that the eighth meeting of the Committee on Demarcation and Border Security of the State Border between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State Committee on the Demarcation of the State Border between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia was held under the chairmanship of Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan and Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafaev. There are of course many small details that will have to be ironed out later, but the fact that the sides have agreed the basic parameters, and especially their re-affirmation that they will "be guided by Alma Ata's 1991 Declaration in the demarcation process" is a huge step forward. No wonder that the international community in the last few days have lined up to congratulate the two sides on their success and to nudge them forward to complete the process of signing a peace agreement between them. Seasoned observers now see the signing of such an agreement as being truly within reach. Of course, there will be those who for one reason or another will not like these developments and will try to spoil the process. Armenia and Azerbaijan must remain focused on overcoming any last obstacles, and on its part, the international community must also remain focused in helping them do so as a priority.