On March 2, the "100 years of the Turkic world: from Çanakkale victory to Karabakh victory" conference was held at Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University (ASOIU). The organisers of the conference dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the founder of the modern state of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev and the establishment of the Republic of Türkiye are the Azerbaijan - Türkiye Friendship Center at ASOIU, the Bilgesam Organisation of Türkiye and the Türkmasası dialogue Club.
The Conference participants laid a wreath at the bust of great leader Heydar Aliyev and paid tribute to his memory with deep respect. Professor Mustafa Babanli, ASOIU Rector, opened the conference, which was attended by the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Azerbaijan, ambassadors of Turkic-speaking countries, Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States, as well as state and public representatives from both countries, members of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan. After the national anthems of both countries sounded, Professor M.Babanli, Rector, said that the establishment of the Republic of Türkiye and the 100th anniversary of the founder of the modern Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev are significant events for the entire Turkic world. Then Professor Mustafa Babanli, Rector, emphasised that 2023 was declared the "Year of Heydar Aliyev" in our country and the anniversary of the great leader was celebrated in different countries. Noting that at the beginning of the XX century, the founder of the Republic of Türkiye, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founded Türkiye, and at the end, great leader Heydar Aliyev saved Azerbaijan from the threat of disintegration and bankruptcy, they laid the foundation of the modern and strong Republic of Türkiye and the Republic of Azerbaijan, Rector, professor M.Babanli brought to the attention of the conference participants that Azerbaijan- Türkiye friendship occupies an important place in the glorious history of the two countries. Noting the invaluable services of the unforgettable leaders of both fraternal countries – the founder of the Independent State of Azerbaijan, great leader Heydar Aliyev and the founder of the Republic of Türkiye Mustafa Kemal Ataturk for the people of Azerbaijan and Türkiye, he spoke about the successful political, economic life of both fraternal countries, their relations in education, culture and other areas.
The conference commemorated with a minute of silence all the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the independence of the Republic of Türkiye and the Republic of Azerbaijan and victims of a strong earthquake in Türkiye on February 6, 2023. Then a video clip reflecting the unity of Azerbaijan and Türkiye was demonstrated on the way from the victory in Çanakkale to the Karabakh victory.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Azerbaijan Jahid Bagchi talked about the unity and brotherhood of Türkiye and Azerbaijan and the importance of this union. The Ambassador brought to the attention that the unshakable unity of the two fraternal countries, built on a solid foundation, is successfully continued by the heads of state of both countries today, and the Azerbaijani-Turkish cooperation in all directions is exemplary and unshakable.
Speaking at the conference, chairman of the Azerbaijan-Türkiye Interparliamentary friendship group of the Milli Majlis Ahliman Amiraslanov, deputy chairman of the Labor and Social Policy Committee of the Milli Majlis, head of the Türkmasasi dialogue club Malahat Ibrahimgizi, MPs Shahin Ismayilov, Bahruz Maharramov and Hikmat Mammadov highly appreciated the conference. They spoke about the national interests that unite both countries, fraternal and unchangeable will, flexible policy, which is an integral part of world diplomacy and attaches both countries, its great importance. MP Malahat Ibrahimgizi noted that the Turkish-Azerbaijani Union is an exemplary integrity that conveys a message of peace to the whole world and calls the world to humanity and Justice. MP added that this became possible thanks to the consistently successful strategy and unshakable will of the two countries' leaders.
Bahçeşehir University lecturer, Security and Terrorism expert Dr Abdullah Ağar, Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Global Journalism Council, BİLGESAM Security and Terrorism expert Dr İmbat Muğlu noted in his remarks that the brotherhood and unity of Azerbaijan and Türkiye are the value left by the ancestors to the modern generation and pointed out that the relations between the two countries have risen to a higher level. Taking an excursion into the history of Türkiye-Azerbaijan, they spoke about the invincibility of our people and noted that such an important conference is of particular importance for young people.
Panel sessions on "100 years of the Turkic World: strong education, strong youth", "100 years of the Turkic World: Communication, Information and new technologies (successes and challenges)", "Azerbaijan-Türkiye alliance is the locomotive of the Turkic world", and "Silk Road of the Turkic world: Zangazur corridor" were held within the conference. Panel speeches by doctoral and master students of the University, communication, information and new technologies (successes and challenges), as well as the Zangazur corridor, were discussed at the meetings.
Speaking at the conference's closing ceremony, Professor M.Babanli, Rector of ASOIU, said that the unshakable and eternal brotherhood of Azerbaijan and Türkiye symbolises pride for future generations and it is the greatest contribution to the youth to continue this friendship.
