Following the tension, Erdoğan's remarkable message to Aliyev: Is the ice melting on the Ankara-Baku line?

AKP's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sent a letter to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on the sixth anniversary of Azerbaijan's November 8 Victory Day. It was noteworthy that the letter published on the website of the Presidency of Azerbaijan on November 7 began with the words "Dear President, my dear brother."

In his letter, Erdogan congratulated the Victory Day of the Azerbaijani people and stated that the liberation of the lands that were occupied for 30 years was a source of pride for the Turkish world. Addressing the reconstruction efforts in the regions liberated from occupation, Erdoğan expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the process.

EMPHASIS ON “ONE NATION, TWO STATES”

Addressing the relations between Türkiye and Azerbaijan, Erdoğan emphasized the "One nation, two states" approach, which was brought to the highest level with the Shusha Declaration.

Erdoğan expressed his belief that the two countries will continue to work in close cooperation and solidarity both in bilateral relations and in the international arena.

THERE WAS TENSION ON THE ANKARA-BAKU LINE

Erdogan's letter came in the shadow of the tension that emerged between Ankara and Baku following the headscarf debate in Azerbaijan.

Following the discussion, AKP members, especially former Presidential Advisor Oktay Saral, made harsh statements against the Azerbaijani administration. The Azerbaijani administration banned some people from entering the country; Saral was dismissed from his post after the reactions.

During the period of tension, Azerbaijani President Aliyev did not attend the Organization of Turkic States Summit held in Ankara. Additionally, an article published in the APA news agency, known for its closeness to Aliyev, included serious accusations against the AKP government.

Erdogan had previously told reporters on his return from South Korea that he planned to visit Azerbaijan on November 8.