Erdoğan to visit Azerbaijan on Nov. 8: “No obstacle can overcome our brotherhood”

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said aboard the plane returning from South Korea that he would visit Azerbaijan on Victory Day, Nov. 8. Erdoğan said they wanted to discuss the Russian side of the peace process with Putin and that caves were being cleared gradually as part of Türkiye’s process toward being free of terrorism.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan answered journalists’ questions aboard the plane on his return home following his visit to South Korea. Asked about comments that there was a crisis in relations with Azerbaijan, Erdoğan said that, barring an extraordinary situation, he planned to visit the country on Nov. 8, Azerbaijan’s Victory Day, and stressed that the ties between the two countries stood above all disagreements.

“I always say that our relations with Azerbaijan go far beyond conventional diplomatic contacts,” Erdoğan said. “The unbreakable bond between the two countries is the product of our shared history, culture, destiny and, God willing, future. By God’s grace, there is no obstacle that the brotherhood between Türkiye and Azerbaijan cannot overcome.”

Cumhurbaşkanı Erdoğan ve Azerbaycan Cumhurbaşkanı İlham Aliyev, Bakü (arşiv)

Erdoğan said he had spoken by phone with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and that he had sent both the head of the National Intelligence Organization and the foreign minister to Azerbaijan during this process. Saying that telephone diplomacy with Aliyev and between their spouses was continuing, Erdoğan said, “God willing, this visit will also give us the opportunity to take the necessary steps.” Azerbaijan celebrates Nov. 8, the date Shusha was liberated during the Second Karabakh War in 2020, as Victory Day.

“We also want to speak with Putin and discuss the Russian side”

Erdoğan said they had discussed ending the war in detail during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Türkiye on Saturday. “We told Mr. Zelenskyy that taking steps through diplomacy in the negotiations to end this war between Russia and Ukraine is extremely important. As Türkiye, we are doing everything we can to open the way to peace and will continue to do so,” Erdoğan said, adding that they now wanted to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin and address the Russian side of the matter. Erdoğan said the relevant officials, led by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, would speak with their counterparts and prepare the Russian side for the meeting.

Türkiye free of terrorism: “The caves are being cleared gradually”

Erdoğan stressed that the process toward a Türkiye free of terrorism was continuing within the framework set by law. “We cannot compromise on that. These developments may not always be visible because of the sensitivity of the issue, but our determination here is very clear. The caves beyond our borders are being cleared gradually. Identification and verification efforts are continuing as planned,” he said. Erdoğan said a new phase would begin once the disarmament was fully completed and the identification and verification processes had concluded. “By clearing all these caves, we will, God willing, all see and experience that terrorism has finally ended completely,” he said.

Cumhurbaşkanı Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

Fund investigation: “No public funds are involved”

Asked about the fund investigation, Erdoğan said they had drawn up the necessary road map and issued instructions. “Bribery, irregularities and abuse are all being uncovered one by one,” Erdoğan said, adding that the State Supervisory Council was continuing its examinations and that the Fund Coordination Board, chaired by Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, was meeting regularly. Recalling that payments in extraordinary liquidations had begun as of last Friday, Erdoğan said, “As guaranteed, these payments are being made without interruption. I want to underline that no public funds are involved here. My dear nation should know very well that anyone who has made unjust gains, manipulated the capital markets or facilitated such actions will be held accountable.”

South Korea: $15 billion trade target and nuclear energy

Assessing his visit to South Korea, Erdoğan said they aimed to increase trade volume from more than $11 billion to $15 billion and that contacts were continuing on several issues, including updating the free trade agreement. “We held talks in the past on cooperation with Korea in nuclear energy. During this visit, we demonstrated a new will in this area. Our talks, particularly on financing, will continue,” Erdoğan said. Recalling that five documents had been signed in the areas of energy, mining, scientific cooperation, project financing and investment, Erdoğan stressed that defense industry cooperation covered a broad range, from Altay tanks and Fırtına howitzers to UAVs, armed UAVs and submarines.

Asked about the midterm elections in the United States, Erdoğan said he hoped the results would be beneficial for the American people but that it was too early to make definitive statements. “Our greatest wish is that the election results contribute to lasting peace and stability in our region,” he said, adding that they would maintain close dialogue with both the U.S. administration and the House of Representatives and Senate.

Responding to a question about the 24th anniversary of the AK Party’s founding, Erdoğan said, “We did not receive these seats from our nation to occupy them permanently. We will run, tire ourselves and sweat, and we will fulfill the responsibility of the trust our nation deserves. We will not stop; we are continuing on our path with greater strength, determination and resolve.”

Photos: Presidency, TRT Haber, Azerbaijani Presidency (archive)

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Erdoğan to visit Azerbaijan on Nov. 8: “No obstacle can overcome our brotherhood”