Afət Ziyadqızı
For a long time, a number of Turkish media outlets and social media platforms, including information resources known to be close to the ruling AKP, have circulated inaccurate, biased and defamatory reports about Azerbaijan.
The New Azerbaijan Party’s Press Service told Operative Information Center-OMM.
“Taking into account the partnership between the New Azerbaijan Party and the Justice and Development Party, as well as the historic bonds of brotherhood and friendship between the peoples of Azerbaijan and Türkiye, we have so far shown restraint in responding to such incidents. Our aim has been to prevent the irresponsible conduct of certain circles from negatively affecting relations between our states and peoples.
However, the recent campaign targeting Azerbaijan has become more aggressive, systematic and openly defamatory. In particular, the fact that a person who holds the title of chief adviser to the President of Türkiye, as well as lawmakers from the ruling Justice and Development Party, have joined this campaign makes it necessary for us to state our position openly.
First, we firmly reject attempts to deliberately distort Azerbaijan–Israel relations, portray these ties as exceptional and use them to level political accusations against Azerbaijan. The Republic of Azerbaijan maintains normal interstate relations with Israel based on international law and mutual interests.
Azerbaijan’s position on the Palestinian issue is consistent, clear and principled. Our country has always supported the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and provided financial and humanitarian assistance to Palestine. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa have visited Azerbaijan at various times. The operation of the Embassy of the State of Palestine in Azerbaijan is also funded by the Azerbaijani state.
President Ilham Aliyev has repeatedly stated at the highest international forums that Azerbaijan supports resolving the Palestinian issue under international law and the relevant UN resolutions, on the basis of the “two-state” principle, with East Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Palestine. Azerbaijan’s position on events in Gaza is also based on humanitarian values, the protection of civilians and international law.
Azerbaijan’s relations with the Islamic world are likewise guided not by political expediency but by the principles of mutual respect, equality and solidarity. Muslim countries highly value our country’s contribution to strengthening Islamic solidarity. The planned hosting of the next summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Azerbaijan in 2027 also reflects the international confidence placed in our country.
In this regard, we would like to recall that justice, equality, mutual respect and solidarity are among the fundamental principles of Islam. No state in the Islamic world has the right to impose its will on other Muslim peoples, interfere in their internal affairs or regard itself as superior to others. Claims of serving unity in the Muslim world must be demonstrated through equal cooperation and mutual respect, not ambitions of hegemony.
The Azerbaijani people have historically opposed imperialism, colonialism and neocolonial approaches. This principled position remains unchanged today.
It is deeply regrettable that Oktay Saral, chief adviser to the President of Türkiye, and lawmakers from the ruling Justice and Development Party have made populist and irresponsible statements without taking into account the substance of the issue, Azerbaijan’s constitutional system and the legal foundations of freedom of religion in our country. Such statements run counter to the spirit of Azerbaijan–Türkiye brotherly relations and risk creating artificial tensions in the public sphere.
The Azerbaijani people have always treated their national, moral and religious values with great respect. Freedom of religion is guaranteed by the Constitution in our country. The Azerbaijani state treats representatives of all religions equally and regards religious diversity as an asset of our society.
Rules applied in education are based on equality, secularism, the rule of law and equal opportunities for all citizens. Under the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan is a secular state. This principle is also enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Türkiye. It is therefore unacceptable to turn Azerbaijan’s secular state system and education policy into subjects of political manipulation.
Political debates in Türkiye itself over religious and secular values are deepening divisions in society. We believe that using sensitive issues such as headscarves as tools of political manipulation and division serves neither the unity of the Turkish people nor solidarity across the Muslim world. Using such issues as a means of political pressure against Azerbaijan is particularly unacceptable. We call on the AKP government to refrain from this harmful policy.
Insulting and defamatory remarks about President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, published by certain information resources, have also rightly provoked public outrage in Azerbaijan.
The principle of “One nation, two states,” set out by National Leader Heydar Aliyev, forms the moral and political foundation of Azerbaijan–Türkiye relations. However, the meaning of this historic phrase must not be distorted. It refers precisely to one nation and two independent states. This principle in no way gives either state grounds to interfere in the other’s internal affairs or impose its political and ideological views.
For centuries, the Azerbaijani people have aspired to independence, restored their statehood and today live in a sovereign state that pursues an independent domestic and foreign policy under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev.
The New Azerbaijan Party believes that representatives of the Justice and Development Party, particularly those holding senior public offices, should demonstrate political responsibility in their statements and respect the sovereignty, constitutional order and internal affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
“We hope that the relevant political circles in Türkiye will draw the proper conclusions from such irresponsible statements and refrain from steps that could harm Azerbaijan–Türkiye relations,” the statement said.
