Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan officially welcomed to Azerbaijan - UPDATE - PHOTOS

“The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway is of great importance. It is to be extended,” said Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan at a joint press conference with President Ilham Aliyev.

Erdogan noted “this is the first phase of our work, we have set out the task of extending it further to Central Asia. Such a goal, such a large project and its implementation at such a reassuring pace strategically bind us together.”

*****

“The Nagorno-Karabakh issue is a bleeding wound for Azerbaijan and for us alike. This should be clear. We cannot have another opinion. We monitor this issue and will continue monitoring it until the end,” Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at a joint press conference with President Ilham Aliyev.

Erdogan said “at present, the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh is occupied, and the occupiers are known to all. This is evidenced not only by us, but also by the United Nations. This has been proved. This issue must be resolved. So far, the Armenian side has demonstrated a negative approach to its solution. Azerbaijan has always demonstrated a positive approach.”

Upon the Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan`s recent statement on Agri Dagi, the Prime Minister said “Sargsyan has committed a grave mistake. And he has confirmed the historical mistake. He should apologize, rectify his mistake.”

*****

“There will come a time when Azerbaijan will restore its sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh through peaceful or military means,” said President Ilham Aliyev at a joint press conference held in Baku with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Touching upon the Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan`s recent statement on Agri Dagi the Azerbaijani President noted “I did not expect anything else from Sargsyan because I have repeatedly met with him.”

“I am well aware of his way of thinking. In essence, this exposes the aggressive essence of Armenia. This country is gripped by problems. Tens of thousands of people are leaving the country. The country's economy is in a complete crisis – there is poverty, destitution, hopelessness. There is not a single normal enterprise. If there are no foreign donations and foreign benefactors, this country will die. Although the actual population is 1.8 million people, these people lay claims on ancestral and historical lands of Turkey.” 

*****
28.07.2011

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev yesterday hosted an official dinner in honor of visiting Prime Minister of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan. President Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan made speeches at the event.

*****

After the extended meeting President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a joint press conference where they answered questions of media representatives.

*****

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday  had an expanded meeting. The Azerbaijani President congratulated the Turkish Premier on his party`s winning the recent parliamentary elections.

The President praised Mr. Erdogan`s visit, saying “it testifies to the high level of our relations”.
President Aliyev described the Azerbaijan-Turkey relations as those among allies, adding “these relations are based on principles of brotherhood”. He said the two countries enjoyed common positions on all the issues.

“The historic and cultural roots that bind us together are very strong, and they are playing a crucial role in developing the Turkey-Azerbaijan relations.” The Turkish Premier said they discussed with President Aliyev the Turkey-Azerbaijan relations.

“We covered all issues, including military, political, economic, trade and cultural ones, as well as regional affairs.” “We also discussed our future steps. Of course, the High level Strategic Partnership Council is of particular importance. We attach great significance to this issue,” the Turkish Premier added.

*****
27.07.2011

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan have today had a one-on-one meeting.

They said friendly and fraternal relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey are developing successfully in various spheres, and expressed confidence that mutual cooperation will further expand.

It was noted during the meeting that Turkish Prime Minister`s official visit to Azerbaijan will serve strengthening relationship between the two countries even more.  They also exchanged views on bilateral, regional and international issues.

*****

Turkey`s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has today been given an official welcome to Azerbaijan. A guard of honor was lined up for the Turkish Premier at the square decorated with the national flags of the two countries.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was welcomed by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. President Ilham Aliyev and Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan inspected a ceremonial Guard of Honor as an orchestra played the national anthems of Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijani state and government officials were introduced to Prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, while members of the Turkish delegation to President Ilham Aliyev. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Turkey`s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan posed for photographs.


/AzerTAc/

Click to enlarge: