Great Leader Atatürk was commemorated in Azerbaijan on the 88th anniversary of his passing away.

Türkiye's Baku Ambassador Birol Akgün, Azerbaijani MPs, embassy employees, military officials, representatives of Turkish institutions and students of Turkish educational institutions attended the ceremony held in front of the Ataturk Monument in the "One Nation, Two State Park" in Baku.

Following the moment of silence at 09.05 local time, Turkish flags in the park and the embassy building were lowered to half-mast. Ambassador Akgün laid a wreath at the Atatürk Monument. The National Anthem was sung at the ceremony.

Ambassador Akgün, in his speech at the ceremony, stated that Atatürk united the Turkish nation around the struggle for independence and crowned this struggle with the declaration of the republic.

Expressing that Atatürk showed the world that an independent future could be established even under the most difficult conditions with the trust he had in his nation, Akgün said that his legacy was the ideal of a Turkey that prioritizes independence above all else and progresses under the guidance of reason and science.

Noting that carrying the Republic to the future with its constitutional qualities and educating young people with the equipment required by the age in the light of national and spiritual values ​​is the most meaningful loyalty to the memory of Atatürk, Akgün emphasized that Atatürk's principle of "Peace at home, peace in the world" still guides Türkiye's foreign policy based on peace and international cooperation today.

Akgün stated that commemorating Atatürk's memory with Azerbaijanis has a special meaning for them and said, "Atatürk's words 'Azerbaijan's joy is our joy, its sorrow is our sorrow' and Haydar Aliyev's motto 'One nation, two states' express the unity of heart between the two countries. This understanding directs our brotherhood and reinforces our will to walk together into the future." he said.

Stating that they act with the responsibility of carrying the common heritage to future generations while strengthening the bonds of alliance between Türkiye and Azerbaijan, Akgün noted that he believes that the solidarity of the two countries will serve lasting peace and stability in the region.