Baku: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Baku aboard a TC-TUR flight to participate in ceremonies commemorating Azerbaijan’s November 8th Victory Day. This occasion marks the liberation of much of the Karabakh region from Armenian occupation during a 44-day conflict in 2020. The war concluded with a Russian-brokered peace agreement, paving the way for improved relations with Yerevan.

According to TRTworld.com, the Azerbaijani army liberated the city of Shusha on November 8, which was subsequently designated as Victory Day by a presidential decree. Initially, the celebration was scheduled for November 10, coinciding with the end of the Second Karabakh War. However, the date was changed to avoid overlapping with the anniversary of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s passing, the founder of the Republic of Türkiye.

Upon his arrival at Heydar Aliyev International Airport, President Erdogan was welcomed by Azerbaijani First Deputy Prime Minister Yagub Eyyubov, Deputy Foreign Minister Samir Sharifov, and Defence Minister Yasar Guler. Also present were Azerbaijani Ambassador to Ankara Reshad Mammadov and Türkiye’s Ambassador to Baku Birol Akgun.

The Turkish delegation accompanying Erdogan included Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, MIT Director Ibrahim Kalin, Communications Director Burhanettin Duran, and Defence Industries Director Haluk Gorgun. Chief Presidential Advisor on Foreign Policy and Security Akif Cagatay Kilic was also part of the delegation, highlighting the strategic importance of the visit.

During his time in Baku, Erdogan is expected to meet with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to discuss bilateral relations, regional security, and economic cooperation. Additionally, he is scheduled to hold discussions with Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on mutual strategic and global issues.