President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan addressed via telephone Turkish Armed Forces personnel who will be stationed at the Joint Centre to be established between Turkey and Russia. President Erdoğan said, “Your presence there is a token of honour showing the degree to which the relationship between our countries has reached”.
Minister of National Defence Hulusi Akar along with Turkish General Staff General Yaşar Güler and the commanders of the armed forces arrived in Azerbaijan after the evaluation and inspection of the border units.
Welcomed by Azerbaijani Defence Minister Zakir Hasanov and other officials at the Heydar Aliyev Airport, Akar and the commanders moved to Azerbaijan Training and Doctrine Command and participated in the military ceremony here.
Addressing Turkish troops to be stationed at the Joint Centre, which will be established between Turkey and Russia, as well as the personnel of the Azerbaijani armed forces participating in the ceremony, President Erdoğan began his speech, saying, “Dear members of our Turkish Armed Forces, dear heroes of the Azerbaijani army, I greet you all with my heartfelt feelings.”
Expressing his greetings to the friendly and brotherly people of Azerbaijan, President Erdoğan stated the following:
“You have achieved an epic victory in 44 days under the leadership of my brother Ilham Aliyev, President of treasured Azerbaijan. I congratulate the Azerbaijani army for their victory in the struggle for the liberation of Nagorno-Karabakh and the occupied Azerbaijani territories. This victory made us as happy and proud as our Azerbaijani brothers.”
Recalling that they shared the joy of the people of Azerbaijan at the victory ceremony held in Freedom Square on December 10, President Erdoğan said, “Brotherly Azerbaijan welcomed the Turkish Armed Forces with tears of joy, with prayers and with the same excitement on December 10 as they had welcomed the Caucasian Islamic Army.”
President Erdoğan, who wished Allah’s mercy to the heroes who were martyred in Operation One Homeland, one of the most important military and political developments in recent history, recalled the unity that was revealed in the liberation of Baku from occupation 102 years ago.
Noting that they shared a deep connection with the people of Azerbaijan as they were “two states, one nation” and therefore shared their joys and sorrows, President Erdoğan said:
“Your presence there is a token of honour showing the degree to which the relationship between our countries has reached. We, as Turkey, support Azerbaijan's struggle, crowning its military victory with diplomatic success, both on the field and all international platforms. I wish success to our esteemed soldiers who will serve in the region to monitor the implementation of the cease-fire reached between Azerbaijan and Armenia. I want the centre to be operational as soon as possible. I advise the Armenian forces, who are engaged in acts that could violate the cease-fire, to rectify this mistake as soon as possible to avoid a confrontation. The Turkish army, whose history is full of glory and honour, will continue to serve its cause everywhere at the cost of their lives. With the belief that they will either be a martyr or return a veteran, Turkish soldiers will completely fulfil their duties, both in our country and all over the world, particularly in Azerbaijan. From Syria to Libya, Somalia to Kosovo, Afghanistan to Qatar, I wish success to all our soldiers who are fighting for peace, tranquillity, and stability in many places. May Allah help them. I once again offer my most heartfelt greetings to our esteemed soldiers in Azerbaijan and wish you a happy new year.”