Azerbaijan can multiply Turkey’s power, top official says

Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 11 By Ilkin Izzet – Trend: Turkey today is one of the 20 states with biggest economies and holds an important place in the world in terms of military, ideological, political and economic power, the Head of the Public and Political Issues Department of Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Ali Hasanov said. Hasanov was delivering a speech Dec. 11 in Baku at an international conference titled “Media of Turkey and Azerbaijan: Historical parallels and the shift from traditional to online media.” He said Azerbaijan has reached such a development level where it can multiply this power of Turkey. Hasanov said Turkey and Azerbaijan will in the near future further enhance opportunities to speak with one voice, adding that this alliance is not directed against any people, religion, nation, or other structure. “We are defending our existence and we want a respectful attitude in the world towards our existence, our religion, language, culture, our material and spiritual values,” he said, adding. “We are fighting for the integrity of our territories, and we don’t have claims over anyone’s territory.” “At the same time we want respect towards our territorial integrity,” Hasanov said. “We, as equal members of international community, aren’t asking for much. Azerbaijan and Turkey want in return what they gave the world together.” He noted that the media in Azerbaijan and Turkey showed solidarity against the campaign on opening the border with Armenia, which has been recently launched in Turkey by Western countries. “Such a country like the US, mobilizing its allies in Europe, turning a blind eye to the occupied territories of Azerbaijan and the ensuing challenges, and taking the stance of double standards, would like the Turkish-Armenian border to be opened,” Hasanov said, adding that “everyone knows why the border was closed.” “Turkey, as a fraternal state, has said that it will not open borders with a state that occupied Azerbaijani territories, will not establish any diplomatic, economic and political relations with it, and will not create any ties with it, unless the lands are liberated,” he added. Hasanov said the fact that the border still remains closed is the will of the Turkish state and the people. “International forces trying to put pressure on the government and the people, should know that they will see in front of themselves not only the structures of power, but also the peoples, states and journalists who represent their will,” Hasanov said. He further said that the Azerbaijani media are doing a great job on the eve of the “anniversary” of the fictitious “Armenian genocide” in 2015. “Sometimes it seems that the allegations of ‘genocide’ are directed not against Turkey, but against Azerbaijan, because the activities of the Azerbaijani state, Azerbaijani public, non-governmental organizations and the media in this direction give a stronger impression than in Turkey,” Hasanov said. “We are and we will be against any groundless claims against the Turkic people,” he said. “Any accusation against the Turks is also directed against Azerbaijanis.” Hasanov said he considers the steps on cooperation of Azerbaijani and Turkish journalists as significant. “Turkish and Azerbaijani media will further continue to join their efforts at all levels, as it has been until now,” Hasanov said. Follow us on Twitter @TRENDNewsAgency