The Turkish-Azerbaijani ties stand at the highest level, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said in Baku on Sept. 3 at a joint press statement ceremony with the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
“Today, during a bilateral meeting as well as a joint meeting with the delegations, we mulled all areas in our bilateral relations, and once again got convinced that the Turkish-Azerbaijani ties stand at their peak,” the Azerbaijani president said.
Aliyev went on to add that Azerbaijan-Turkey ties are built upon friendship and fraternity, and today both countries build their friendship and brotherhood on this solid foundation.
He said the political relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey are expanding day by day.
“We always support each other within international organizations, and hold consultations on foreign policy,” the president noted.
Aliyev said various areas of cooperation, including the existing cooperation in the defense industry and its prospects, were also discussed during the meeting. He believes the sphere has great potential as well.
Further speaking about the TANAP project, President Aliyev noted two years ago, at the signing of the TANAP project, he and Erdogan saw where it will approximately come to.
“Today, TANAP, being our joint project, draws attention of the world, and our working groups have started to work. I am sure this historic project will be implemented in a timely manner,” President Aliyev said.
He went on to add that even in the previous years Azerbaijan and Turkey supported each other on energy issues.
“TANAP is of course a project that requires more extensive international cooperation, given the greater number of countries and companies participating in it,” he stressed.
The president expressed confidence that Azerbaijan and Turkey are to realize this project with mutual efforts and will.
The parties also discussed mutual investment issues.
“This is a certain novelty in our relations, as large investments have been mutually made both from Turkey and Azerbaijan in recent years. Even more Azerbaijani investments, about $17-20 billion, will be invested in the next five or six years in the Turkish economy,” President Aliyev added.
“I am very pleased that the Turkish side is increasing its stake in our energy projects,” the president noted.
President Aliyev said Turkey has increased its stake in the ‘Shah Deniz’ project, and became the owner of a large stake in the TANAP.
“These are Turkish investments made in Azerbaijan. At the same time, new excellent opportunities open up thanks to the implementation of these projects, because Turkey and Azerbaijan are the main players in these major energy projects,” the president stressed.
“This is the way it should be,” he said. “The stronger Turkey is, the stronger we will feel.”
He went on to add that Turkey’s success makes Azerbaijan happy.
“I am confident that our brotherly relations will continue to develop incrementally. Dear brother, I once again sincerely welcome you and wish all the Turkish people happiness and new achievements,” President Aliyev said.
