Turkish parliament speaker meets Azerbaijani premier in Baku

By Ali Kemal Alkan

BAKU, Azerbaijan (AA) - Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus met Friday with Azerbaijan’s Prime Minister Ali Asadov at the Prime Ministry building in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku.

Kurtulmus said the Turkish delegation made the visit to Azerbaijan for the 14th General Assembly of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) and the transfer of its presidency.

He expressed satisfaction in handing the presidency to Sahiba Gafarova, the Speaker of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan and noted that during Gafarova's term, positive steps would be taken toward the development of political cooperation among rising powers in Asia's parliaments.

He affirmed that the Turkish parliament and Türkiye would continue to support the Azerbaijani National Assembly from that perspective.

Kurtulmus also conveyed his pride in the extraordinary success demonstrated by President Ilham Aliyev in elections earlier this month and extended his wishes for success to Aliyev and the government.

Highlighting the ambitious goals of Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Azerbaijani President Aliyev to further enhance cooperation between the two nations, Kurtulmus underlined the strong progress made in this regard, reflected in the joint working programs of the two nations.

Kurtulmus highlighted the importance of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of the Türkiye-Azerbaijan University, considering it a crucial step that demonstrates a tangible commitment to strengthening brotherhood and achieving collaboration goals beyond paperwork.

Stating that cooperation continues in various fields, including the defense industry and the economy, Kurtulmus asserted that the swift implementation of joint projects between the two countries would provide a lifeline to the region.

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Kurtulmus stressed the need to transform the existing potential between Ankara and Baku into a regional power.

Expressing satisfaction with efforts to liberate Karabakh from occupation, Kurtulmus stated that the next crucial issue would be the opening of the Zengezur Corridor. He pointed out that the corridor's opening would strengthen commercial relations with regional countries.

Kurtulmus said there is a need for a new peace perspective in the Caucasus, emphasizing the necessity for the healthy continuation of the Türkiye-Azerbaijan-Georgia trilateral mechanism.

He further highlighted the importance of mechanisms being established among Caucasus nations for peace-oriented solutions, involving Russia, Iran and Armenia in the process.

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Asadov expressed satisfaction in hosting Kurtulmus and his accompanying delegation, wishing success for decisions at the 14th APA General Assembly.

He noted that in the Feb. 7 elections in Azerbaijan, Aliyev was reelected and his first visit was to Türkiye.

He said the election was distinctive because it was the first time polling stations were set up in all territories under Azerbaijan's sovereignty, holding historical significance.

Referring to the important agreements signed during Aliyev's visit to Türkiye, Asadov underlined that the establishment of the Türkiye-Azerbaijan University would significantly contribute to the development of relations.

Stressing the importance of parliamentary relations, Asadov said mutual efforts of friendship groups contribute to positive developments in various fields.

*Writing by Esra Tekin in Istanbul