President Erdogan eyes Azerbaijan visit for Victory Day, reaffirms 'unbreakable' brotherhood

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said he plans to visit Azerbaijan on November 8 to attend the country's Victory Day celebrations, reaffirming the close bond between Ankara and Baku.

Speaking to journalists aboard his flight back from South Korea on Tuesday, Erdogan said he hoped to travel to Azerbaijan unless an unforeseen situation prevented the visit.

He said he had spoken by phone with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and had also sent Türkiye's intelligence chief and foreign minister to Baku as part of ongoing diplomatic engagement.

Erdogan added that contacts had continued between the two countries, including conversations between the presidents and their spouses.

"Our relations with Azerbaijan go far beyond classical diplomatic contacts," he said, describing the countries' bond as rooted in their shared history, culture, destiny and future.

"There is no obstacle that the brotherhood between Türkiye and Azerbaijan cannot overcome," he added.

Victory Day to highlight shared history

Azerbaijan marks Victory Day on November 8, commemorating its victory in the 2020 Karabakh war.

Erdogan said the occasion was particularly important to Azerbaijan and expressed his intention to join the celebrations in Baku.

His remarks underlined the longstanding partnership between the two countries and the importance Ankara attaches to maintaining close coordination with its ally.

Türkiye seeks stronger ties with South Korea

Erdogan also discussed the outcome of his visit to South Korea, saying both countries had reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their strategic partnership.

He said bilateral trade had exceeded $11 billion and that the two sides aimed to raise it to $15 billion. Discussions on updating their free trade agreement were also continuing.

The president said Türkiye and South Korea had agreed to pursue further cooperation in nuclear energy, with financing among the issues still requiring discussion.

He also highlighted potential collaboration in defence industries, including projects involving the Altay tank, Firtina howitzers, unmanned aerial vehicles, air-defence systems and submarines.

Five agreements covering energy, mining, scientific cooperation, project financing and investment were signed during the visit.

Erdogan seeks Putin meeting after Zelenskyy talks

On the war between Russia and Ukraine, Erdogan said he intended to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin following his recent meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Türkiye.

He said Ankara continued to support diplomatic efforts to end the war and wanted to discuss the Russian side of the process directly with Putin.

Erdogan added that Turkish officials, including the foreign minister, would maintain contacts with their Russian counterparts to prepare for the discussions.

On the US midterm elections, Erdogan said it was too early to draw firm conclusions about their impact on Turkish-American relations or Washington's Middle East policy.

He said Türkiye would continue dialogue with the Trump administration and both chambers of Congress, expressing hope that the results would contribute to lasting peace and stability in the region.

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Photo: Turkish Presidency