A few days ago, a number of Turkish media outlets and journalists published fake photographs of the “Azerbaijani delegation applauding Netanyahu.” In Azerbaijan the fake was exposed, and in Ankara the journalist who created it was identified and punished.
This once again makes us return to the issue of Azerbaijan–Turkey relations, to show the full depth and scale of the Ankara–Baku alliance.
The relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey are filled with vast content, which will be written about later… What is important is the emotional dimension, which ill-wishers aim at. Even the smallest snowflake can, in a very short time, grow into a large snowball. Words spoken and actions taken must always be approached with the utmost responsibility and attention.
Let us briefly consider the depth and scale of the relationship:
Implemented mega-projects for transporting Azerbaijani energy resources to world markets, providing Azerbaijan with finances and Turkey with energy diversification;
Mutual investments amounting to more than thirty billion dollars, the larger share of which are Azerbaijani investments in Turkey (over 20 billion USD);
Azerbaijan’s support and participation in Turkey’s technological breakthrough, especially in weapons systems;
Mutual support in the international arena – the geopolitical context, which today is of utmost relevance. Azerbaijan occupies a central place for Turkey in defining its policy in the South Caucasus and toward Central Asia. At the same time, Azerbaijan makes its own contribution to this process, assuming full responsibility. Everything that Turkey has achieved and will achieve in the South Caucasus has become reality through its alliance with Azerbaijan;
The OTS – a crucial direction where Azerbaijan is the initiator and consistent driver of increased integration among Turkic states;
Support for Turkey’s policy in the Middle East – in Syria, Iraq, and along the entire perimeter…
The Eastern Mediterranean – support for the TRNC, pre-empting Greece and Southern Cyprus;
The African dimension – Azerbaijan supports Turkey’s activities in Africa, with actions fully coordinated;
The Baku–Ankara–Islamabad trilateral, which is still being filled with substance;
Constant consultations on the Russia–Ukraine war and relations with the EU;
Creation of a platform for dialogue between Turkey and Israel to contain confrontation.
There is much more to enumerate…
Turkey is becoming more influential with each passing year, but its influence does not coincide with its economic resources. This is a paradox, and Azerbaijan, with its available resources, strives to support Turkey. Here the key role belongs to the leaders – Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan!
For Azerbaijan, Turkey’s success is a genuine objective, since much has been invested into this success! And these investments must bring returns – both economically and geopolitically. Political and economic dividends are obvious, and they must be multiplied!
At the same time, all rough edges in relations, such as these fakes and provocations, must be suppressed at the root so as not to create negative content.
Azerbaijan is not a satellite and not a junior partner of Turkey; Azerbaijan is a responsible partner, Turkey’s ally, and sincerely wishes for Turkey’s strengthening and prosperity, as it sees its own strengthening and prosperity in this.
Azerbaijan has its own views on processes, aimed at creating platforms for resolving Turkey’s problems where Ankara’s contradictions with other actors enter periods of crisis.
Every country that seeks to increase its influence would dream of having as an ally a country like Azerbaijan! And in this Turkey is fortunate… This should be valued, and Azerbaijan’s broad opportunities on the international stage should be used – which, incidentally, Ankara is indeed doing!
Farhad Mammadov is the Director of the Center for Studies of the South Caucasus (CSSC).
