President Ilham Aliyev has sent a letter of condolence and solidarity to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the third anniversary of the devastating earthquake that struck southern Turkey. The head of state paid tribute to the memory of those who lost their lives in the disaster, emphasizing the deep bond between the two nations.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the letter notes that the tragedy served as a serious humanitarian test for Turkey. "The unshakable brotherhood at the core of Azerbaijan-Turkey relations demonstrated its true essence during this difficult time," President Ilham Aliyev stated. He emphasized that from the first moments of the disaster, the state and people of Azerbaijan stood by Turkey, adhering to the principles of unity and solidarity.
The President also highlighted Azerbaijan's active participation in the reconstruction of the affected regions, specifically the establishment of the "Azerbaijan" neighborhood in the Kahramanmaraş province. He praised the Turkish government's efforts under President Erdogan's leadership, noting that the large-scale restoration of infrastructure and social welfare is a clear indicator of Turkey's long-term development strategy and resilience.
The February 6, 2023, earthquakes, centered in Kahramanmaraş, were among the deadliest in the region's history, affecting 11 provinces and resulting in significant loss of life and infrastructure. Azerbaijan was the first country to dispatch search-and-rescue teams and humanitarian aid to the disaster zone. The ongoing construction of the "Azerbaijan" residential complex in Kahramanmaraş, which includes housing, educational facilities, and social infrastructure, serves as a permanent symbol of the "One nation, two states" philosophy and the strategic alliance between Baku and Ankara.
