(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) Having played a crucial role in Azerbaijan's
formation and development, Heydar Aliyev left an indelible mark in
history of Azerbaijan. 'Azerbaijan & Heydar Aliyev' – is a special
project of Trend News Agency, dedicated to the 100-th anniversary
of the national leader, which will cover key events of Heydar
Aliyev's work in the years of him leading
Azerbaijan.
After Heydar Aliyev's return to power in 1993, Azerbaijan gave a
special attention to the expansion of all-round partnership with
Türkiye on the integration into the international community,
protection of regional security and realization of
political-economical and scientific-cultural interests of the
country and provided the increase of the development of the country
on a rising line during the decade. The first step in this
direction was the first official visit of the President of
Azerbaijan to Türkiye on February 8-11, 1994.
February 8, 1994. President of the Republic of
Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev was officially welcomed by President
Suleyman Demirel in 'Cankaya' Palace, the residence of the
president of the Republic of Türkiye. Delivering a speech at the
welcoming ceremony Heydar Aliyev said: 'We - Azerbaijan and Türkiye
are countries having friendly and fraternal relations. Unity of our
nations, brotherhood and friendship were formed through the
centuries and reached its present stage. Now Azerbaijan is an
independent state and is the owner of its country, nation and
resources. Türkiye first among the world countries recognized the
independence of Azerbaijan. And it was an important step in the
recognition of Azerbaijan by the world countries and the world
community'. On that day President of the Turkish Republic Suleyman
Demirel hosted the Azerbaijani president in 'Chankaya' Palace.
Later, President Heydar Aliyev visited the grave of Mustafa Kamal
Ataturk, founder of the Turkish Republic and signed the memorial
book.
February 9, 1994. President of Azerbaijan
Heydar Aliyev paid a visit to the parliament of the Turkish
Republic and delivered a speech there. Referring to the history of
the Turkish-Azerbaijani relations, Heydar Aliyev said: 'I would
like to inform you that the ancient history and present day of our
nations are the basis for being closer friendly. I would like to
assure you that we shall move further on this basis. Relations
between Türkiye and Azerbaijan in economy, trade, science, culture,
education and other fields will be of great importance and differ
from the relations with other countries because of the friendship
and fraternity. Our position is clear. Be sure that the present-day
Azerbaijan is and will be loyal to this position'. On the same day
President Heydar Aliyev met Ihsan Dogramaci, chairman of the
Executive Board of Bilkent University and a ceremony was held in
which the Azerbaijani president was honored the title of the
Honorary Doctor of the University.
One of the important events of the visit was the signature of
the Turkish-Azerbaijani documents. Protocol on partnership and
mutual assistance between the two states, agreements on partnership
in scientific, technical, cultural and economic fields, development
of friendship and comprehensive partnership, political
consultations, mutual encouragement and protection of investments
were signed. An agreement on Friendship and Partnership between
Türkiye and Azerbaijan was signed. This document is of great
importance and significance for the further development of the
Azerbaijani-Turkish relations. Up to 16 agreements and protocols,
in general, were signed with the officials of the Turkish Republic.
Expansion and development of relations in different fields were
manifested in those documents.
February 10, 1994. President Heydar Aliyev met
the businessmen of Türkiye. He expressed great interest in
development of economic relations with Türkiye and informed that he
was ready to create favorable investment conditions for the big
Turkish companies.
February 11, 1994. Having completed his
meetings in Ankara, the Azerbaijani President left for Istanbul.
Heydar Aliyev gave extensive information to media representatives
on the results of his official visit to Türkiye.
In general, the first official visit of the President of
Azerbaijan Republic to the Republic of Türkiye gave an impetus to
the development of bilateral relations between the two
countries.