Karabakh victory marks milestone toward lasting peace: Erdogan

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has affirmed that Azerbaijan's victory in Karabakh will pave the way for lasting regional peace through constructive engagement between Azerbaijani and Armenian leadership. During his address at Victory Day ceremonies in Baku marking the fifth anniversary of Azerbaijan's military success, the Turkish president pledged that Türkiye would fulfill its responsibilities in supporting this peace process.

Strategic Vision for Regional Stability

Erdogan characterized Ankara's perspective on the Karabakh victory not as a conclusion but as a significant milestone toward establishing enduring stability in the Caucasus region. He emphasized that the resolution of the conflict has ended what he described as a "major injustice" while creating new geopolitical dynamics across both Asia and Europe, opening possibilities for comprehensive regional normalization.

Historical Significance and Military Achievements

The Turkish president paid tribute to the Azerbaijani military's campaign, stating that every step taken by Azerbaijani forces toward securing Karabakh's independence is "written in golden letters" within Turkic world history. His remarks came during official ceremonies commemorating the liberation of most territories that had remained under Armenian occupation for nearly three decades prior to the 2020 conflict.

Victory Day Commemoration Context

The celebration marks the November 8 liberation of Shusha city, which Azerbaijan subsequently designated as Victory Day through presidential decree. Originally scheduled for November 10, the anniversary of the Second Karabakh War's conclusion, the commemoration was rescheduled to avoid coinciding with the anniversary of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's passing, reflecting the deep historical connections between the two Turkic nations.