Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Thursday that the “two states, one nation” principle between Türkiye and Azerbaijan manifests itself across all areas, stressing that ties between the two countries have been tested during difficult times, including wars and crises.
Speaking to reporters in Azerbaijan’s capital Baku, where he is attending the 7th Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), Fidan assessed Türkiye-Azerbaijan relations as well as developments concerning the Russia-Ukraine war and security in the Black Sea.
He said relations between Türkiye and Azerbaijan have gone through various historical tests and are built on solid strategic foundations.
“The principle of ‘two states, one nation’ manifests itself in all areas. There is an unshakable bond of friendship and brotherhood between our leaders. This is a bond that has been tested in very difficult times, in times of war and crisis,” he said.
Fidan warns against exploiting differences between Türkiye, Azerbaijan
Noting that the two countries may occasionally have different approaches on certain issues, Fidan stressed that such differences should not be exploited to undermine the strategic relationship between Türkiye and Azerbaijan.
Pointing to the importance of the unshakable bonds and brotherly relations between the two countries, he said: “Today, the strategic solidarity demonstrated by the two countries is also being closely followed by the international community.”
He said relations between Türkiye and Azerbaijan would continue to play a determining role in the future, as they have in the past, adding that attitudes that could erode those ties should be avoided.
Fidan said the Turkish and Azerbaijani publics have increasingly become integrated, with the spread of social media and communication channels allowing the two societies to influence one another.
He noted that there is intense interaction between the two countries in cultural, political, social and financial fields.
Fidan stressed that the leaderships of both countries are sensitive to the issue, adding that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had conveyed instructions and directives to him ahead of his visit to Baku.
Acknowledging that there may be different approaches and perspectives on certain issues, Fidan said these could be discussed between the two countries in a manner consistent with their ties of brotherhood.
“We are an ancient nation. We sit down and discuss our own problems in a civilized manner, in a way befitting our ancient past and ourselves,” he said.
Fidan stressed that there was no need to turn differences of opinion into instruments of propaganda through social media.
He said he also discussed these issues during his meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, adding the Turkish side listened to Aliyev’s views and perspective.
Fidan said the unshakable bond between the two countries’ leaders would continue to exist in the strongest possible manner.
He added that efforts were being made on both sides to prevent the issue from being exploited and to ensure that no new obstacles emerge in the way of the brotherhood between Türkiye and Azerbaijan, urging all parties to exercise sensitivity in this regard.
Türkiye working to keep Black Sea outside Russia-Ukraine war
Turning to the Russia-Ukraine war, Fidan said Türkiye’s position is in favor of ending the conflict.
He said Ankara has been making intensive efforts toward this goal and since the war has not been brought to a complete end is at least working to keep the Black Sea outside the conflict.
Fidan said he had also discussed the issue with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and listened to the Russian side’s views, noting that Türkiye had previously held contacts on the matter as well.
He said Türkiye had presented a proposal it prepared to both Ukraine and Russia, listened to the positions of both sides regarding the proposal and was working on how the issue could be resolved in a more constructive manner.
Fidan stressed that navigational safety in the Black Sea is extremely important, pointing out that developments in the region closely affect global food markets.
He warned that wheat trade, particularly to African countries, was at risk and drew attention to rising food and energy prices.
Fidan said restrictions on trade in the Black Sea have serious negative consequences, noting that these problems are placing further pressure on the global economy, particularly developing countries, at a time when the Strait of Hormuz is closed and restrictions are occasionally being experienced in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Türkiye is doing everything it can to help resolve the issue, he said, adding that Ankara’s efforts to ensure navigational safety in the Black Sea are continuing.