Ilham Aliyev: President Erdoğan Unites the Turkic World
Aliyev emphasized that transportation links between Turkey and Azerbaijan play a crucial role in strengthening Turkic unity. He noted that under Erdoğan’s leadership, Turkey has achieved significant progress and created new opportunities for consolidating the Turkic world.
Iğdır-Nakhchivan Gas Pipeline
The Iğdır-Nakhchivan gas pipeline is designed to ensure the energy security of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, which has been separated from Azerbaijan’s main territory for over a century. The project was implemented under a swap agreement, with Azerbaijani gas being supplied via Turkey.
The Azerbaijani president recalled the historical injustice that left Nakhchivan isolated from the rest of the country. After the fall of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in 1920, the Soviet government transferred Western Zangezur to Armenia, severing Nakhchivan’s land connection with Azerbaijan.
Turkey’s Role in Defending Nakhchivan
Aliyev also highlighted Turkey’s support in protecting Nakhchivan during the First Karabakh War. Amid an Armenian blockade, Turkey supplied the region with food and fuel. According to him, the construction of the "Hope" Bridge helped Nakhchivan avoid occupation and strengthened ties between the two nations.
Azerbaijan-Turkey Energy Partnership
The new gas pipeline is part of a large-scale energy partnership between Azerbaijan and Turkey. Previous projects include the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum, and TANAP pipelines. In 2024, Azerbaijan’s gas exports reached 25 billion cubic meters, nearly half of which was supplied to Turkey.
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