Erdogan affirms support for Armenia-Azerbaijan peace in call with Aliyev

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a phone call with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Wednesday, underscoring Ankara's firm backing for diplomatic efforts to secure a lasting peace between Baku and Yerevan. According to a readout from Türkiye's Communications Directorate, President Erdogan expressed his country's full support for advancements in the Azerbaijan-Armenia normalization process, a strategic foreign policy priority for both Ankara and Baku.

Strengthening the Strategic Alliance and Economic Partnership

Beyond regional diplomacy, the conversation focused on the deep and multifaceted partnership between the two Turkic nations. President Erdogan emphasized that Türkiye and Azerbaijan continue to work in unison to achieve their shared strategic goals through close collaboration "in all fields, particularly trade." This highlights the economic dimension of the "one nation, two states" relationship, which includes major energy projects like the Southern Gas Corridor and the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, alongside growing defense and security ties.

A Personal Touch and the Broader Regional Context

The call also included a personal note, with President Erdogan extending birthday congratulations and New Year's wishes to his Azerbaijani counterpart. This personal rapport between the leaders has been a hallmark of the exceptionally close bilateral relationship. The discussion occurs within a critical period for the South Caucasus, where Azerbaijan, following its military victory in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war, is engaged in complex peace negotiations with Armenia. Türkiye, as Azerbaijan's primary ally, plays a crucial supportive role in this process, advocating for a treaty that would also pave the way for the normalization of its own relations with Armenia and the opening of regional transport links.

Türkiye's Role as a Key Regional Stabilizer

President Erdogan's affirmation of support reinforces Türkiye's position as an indispensable actor in shaping the South Caucasus' future. Ankara's consistent alignment with Baku provides Azerbaijan with significant diplomatic backing at the negotiating table. The emphasis on comprehensive cooperation signals that the Türkiye-Azerbaijan alliance remains the central geopolitical axis in the region, with peace between Baku and Yerevan seen as essential for unlocking greater regional connectivity, energy security, and economic integration, projects in which Ankara aims to be a principal beneficiary and facilitator.