President Ilham Aliyev has addressed a letter to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the third anniversary of the devastating earthquake that struck Türkiye. In the message, the head of state emphasized that the unshakable brotherhood between Azerbaijan and Türkiye demonstrated its true essence during those difficult times, highlighting the deep emotional bond between the two nations.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, President Ilham Aliyev noted that the disaster was a serious humanitarian test for Türkiye, resulting in the loss of thousands of lives and the destruction of numerous cities and settlements. "From the first moments of the tragedy, the Azerbaijani state and society remained loyal to the principles of unity and solidarity, standing by Türkiye and extending a helping hand," the President stated in his letter, adding that the Azerbaijani people shared the grief of their Turkish brothers as their own.
The earthquake, which occurred in February 2023, remains one of the most significant natural disasters in the region's modern history. Azerbaijan was the first country to provide international assistance, deploying rescue teams, medical personnel, and extensive humanitarian aid to the affected provinces. This rapid response further solidified the strategic alliance between Baku and Ankara, which is rooted in the "One Nation, Two States" philosophy and formalised through the Shusha Declaration, ensuring mutual support in all spheres, including emergency management and reconstruction efforts.
