Azerbaijan, Baku, August 13 / Trend, K. Zarbaliyeva /
Azerbaijan's ruling party considers the Turkish President's visit to the country as an important event, and notes that this visit has special significance for the development of relations between the countries.
"Azerbaijan and Turkey are strategic partners and allies. Both countries' interests are so close that each state always focuses on the interests of the other side," New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) Deputy Executive Secretary, MP Mubariz Gurbanli said in an interview to the official website of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP), commenting on the significance of the Turkish President Abdullah Gul's upcoming visit to Azerbaijan.
According to Gurbanli, in connection with recent events it once again became evident that Turkey and Azerbaijan are making joint efforts to achieve peace and stability in this region.
He said the Turkish state's delicate attitude towards the Nagorno-Karabakh problem, which occurred as a result of the Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan, is very important for Azerbaijan. No changes are observed in Turkey's position on this issue.
"Since the occupation of Kelbajar by Armenia in 1993 Turkey severed diplomatic relations with this country-occupier. Once again I want to note that Turkey has always spoke in support of Azerbaijan in this issue. And despite the West's pressure regarding the opening of borders, Turkey has stated that the borders will not be open until Armenia ends its occupation policy," Gurbanli said.
According to him, the heads of states, officials of Turkey and Azerbaijan always make reciprocal visits.
"Naturally, in addition to all this, there is a need for regular meetings of Azerbaijan and Turkey's heads for the further development of our relations, for discussion of the situation in the region, in the international arena and other issues. President Abdullah Gul's upcoming visit to Azerbaijan arises from a need to discuss current issues at the level of the two brotherly countries' presidents. The Turkish-Azerbaijani relations, cooperation in economic, political and other spheres will be discussed during the visit," Gurbanli said.
President Gul will pay an official visit to Azerbaijan August 16-17.