President Aliyev: Turkey always supports Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 12 Trend: During the meeting of Azerbaijani and Turkish Presidents, Ilham Aliyev and Abdullah Gul in Ankara on November 12, various aspects of bilateral relations were discussed and the exchange of views was held on the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Turkish TV channel TRT Haber reported on Nov. 12. "I once again expressed my gratitude to the Turkish government for a fair position," President Aliyev said at a press conference, held jointly with President Gul. According to Azerbaijani President, Turkey has always supported justice and is always close to Azerbaijan in this respect. "The territory, which is recognized by the international community as Azerbaijan's territories, has been for many years occupied by Armenia. The UN Security Council adopted four resolutions that Armenia does not fulfill, grossly violating international law. Azerbaijan continues its efforts to settle this issue," he underscored. "But, unfortunately, the position of Armenia does not allow this issue to be resolved, and restore the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. We suffer from this occupation," the Head of Azerbaijani State said. "More than one million of Azerbaijani citizens, for years, have been refugees and internally displaced persons. There was a policy of ethnic cleansing against Azerbaijan, and it is impossible to accept this injustice, President Aliyev said. He expressed hope that more serious steps will be taken in this regard in the subsequent months and years and the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan will be restored. "I want to once again note that this is dictated by historical justice and international law. Naturally, Turkey's support multiplies our strength, and we are grateful for this support," President Aliyev said. According to him, the meeting also discussed the projects which bring Azerbaijan and Turkey together and which have gone beyond regional boundaries and have become global. "Each of the projects - the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, Baku-Tbilisi- Erzurum and Baku-Tbilisi-Kars - is a great event, and a project that has great success. We were able to achieve the realization of these projects due to the Turkish-Azerbaijani friendship and unity, and today we look even further," the Head of Azerbaijani State said. President Aliyev noted that Turkey, for the last several years, has gone a great and successful way. "The country has turned into a great center of power in the world under your leadership," Ilham Aliyev said, referring to Abdullah Gul. "Turkey shows its principled position not only on regional issues, but also on the current processes in the world. Much depends on Turkey's attitude and position. This encourages us. The stronger Turkey will be, the stronger Azerbaijan will be," the President noted. "A very significant event has occurred in my life today. The highest award of the fraternal country - State Award was assigned to me. I consider this award as an estimate of my activity. I tried, and I will continue to try for Turkish-Azerbaijani relations to develop," Ilham Aliyev said. "My dear brother President Gul and myself, during the recent several years, were able to do much for strengthening this unity," the President said. "Today our relations are at the level of alliance. I think Turkey and Azerbaijan are the world countries which are closely related to each other. Our mutual understanding and mutual support are unique." "The issues of mutual investments are being successfully solved," Ilham Aliyev said. The President went on to say that Azerbaijan's largest investments abroad are of course made in Turkey. "This process is underway. Azerbaijani investments in the amount of $15-17 billion will be made in Turkish economy for the next five years. At the same time, we welcome investments made by Turkish companies in Azerbaijan and maintain the relations between businessmen of the two countries. Today, as always, the issues related to the cooperation in other spheres have been discussed in an atmosphere of friendship and brotherhood," Ilham Aliyev noted. "As my dear brother stressed, I paid my first visit to Turkey after the presidential election. This is natural and this is a tradition, which I am sure will continue in the future. Our strength is in unity, and our unity is built on history," he said. "Today, two independent countries - Turkey and Azerbaijan support and strengthen each other. I am confident that our cooperation will continue to develop. Dear brother, thank you again for the hospitality."