From the conversation of the President of Azerbaijan Republic Heydar Aliyev with the commander of land forces of Republic of Turkey, army general Atilla Atesh Presidential Palace, July 17, 2000


Heydar Aliyev: Esteemed General, our dear friend!

You are welcome to Azerbaijan! I am very pleased for your visit to Azerbaijan. Because friendly and brotherly relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan develop in all spheres, including the sphere of army construction. Your arrival to Azerbaijan and acquaintance with the existing situation here will undoubtedly, allow to move forward our cooperation much more.

Atilla Atesh: Dear President, as You know, I have arrived to Azerbaijan at the invitation of Minister of Defence of brotherly Republic of Azerbaijan colonel-general Safar Abiyev. It is great honour for me naturally, to be in Azerbaijan according to your apt expression, "we are one nation, two states". I express my boundless gratitude that in spite of Your maximum pressure of work, you have found time and received me. During this visit we have had an opportunity both to hold exchange of views with the Minister Abiyev in the sphere of defence and army construction between our countries and also get acquainted with the activity of our friends working here. Once again I thank You for having found an opportunity to receive us.

Heydar Aliyev: Thank you very much. Recently the President of Turkey Ahmet Nejdet Sezer visited Azerbaijan. It was his first foreign visit to Azerbaijan after being elected as a President of Turkey. We have been expecting it and we were glad to this visit. We made sure that the relations between our countries continue at previous level. Respected president Sezer stated here that personalities could be changed, but Turkish-Azerbaijan relations would never change. The state never changes its policy. Very strong ties connect us with Turkey. They will never break off, on the contrary, they will become stronger.

Atilla Atesh: Estemeed President, as extremely experienced politician and the statesman You always speak about this truth. The relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan are not unilateral but many-sided. Strong cooperation has been established between us in all the spheres - political, economic, and military. It is really happiness for us to visit fraternal Azerbaijan Republic. I express once more my deep gratitude to You for the given opportunity.

Heydar Aliyev: Is this your first visit to Azerbaijan?

Atilla Atesh: Yes, it is.

Heydar Aliyev: The commander of the General Staff of Turkish army respected Huseyn Kivragoglu has visited Azerbaijan. Once he came with esteemed Suleyman Demirel in the past. He knows Azerbaijan. And now you have visited and got acquainted.

Atilla Atesh: Allow me extend the regards of respected Kivragoglu to You.

Heydar Aliyev: Thank you very much.

“Azerbaijan” newspaper, July 18, 2000.

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