ArmInfo. The leaders of Turkey and Azerbaijan, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ilham Aliyev, held talks on Tuesday in the occupied Karbakh city of Shushi. Following the negotiations, the signing ceremony of the so-called ''Shusha Declaration of Alliance'' took place.
Aliyev noted that the Shusha declaration of alliance between Azerbaijan and Turkey contains a reference to the historic Kars agreement signed 100 years ago.
According to Aliyev, the declaration touches upon many important issues, such as joint cooperation in the international plane, political relations, trade and economic ties, culture, education, sports, youth policy. "Almost all areas are covered. The importance of energy security, the Southern Gas Corridor for Turkey, Azerbaijan and Europe is indicated. Each issue reflected in the declaration is very important. Among them I would like to highlight two issues. First, this declaration reflects the issues of cooperation in the field of defense and the defense industry, as well as mutual military assistance. This is a historic achievement. This proves once again that we will continue to be together. We will continue to ensure mutual security, "the leader of Azerbaijan said.
Aliyev called the opening of new transport communications the second important issue. "The declaration reflected clear language regarding the opening of the Zangezur corridor. This is the result of the new geopolitical situation that emerged after the Second Karabakh War. Today we are not only talking about the Zangezur corridor, which will connect Turkey and Azerbaijan by rail and road, but we are also creating this corridor through practical actions. The fact that this issue is reflected in the joint Declaration of Alliance is of great importance, "the head of state said.
"I have repeatedly said that today Turkey and Azerbaijan are the closest countries on a global scale, we have opportunities to develop our cooperation," the President of Azerbaijan added. Meanwhile, the signed joint declaration on alliance states that the parties will provide each other with assistance in the event of a threat or attack by a third state on the independence or territorial integrity of either side.
The security councils of Turkey and Azerbaijan will regularly hold joint meetings on national security issues.
"Azerbaijan highly appreciates the support of Turkey in the issue of ending the 30-year-old aggression of Armenia and the liberation of the occupied territories", says the text of the document. The sides studied all the prospects for further expansion and deepening of Turkish-Azerbaijani relations, the declaration says.
The document emphasizes that Turkey and Azerbaijan are making joint efforts to address issues of regional and global security and stability.
"The parties emphasize the important role of Turkey's contribution to the activities of the Turkish-Russian joint center in the liberated territories", reads further the declaration. The declaration noted that the opening of the Zangezur corridor between Turkey and Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan-Kars railway line will contribute to the development of relations between the two countries. The Shusha Declaration focuses on the fact that Armenia's unfounded claims to Turkey and attempts to distort history damage peace and stability in the region.
"The military-political cooperation developing between the two states [Turkey and Azerbaijan] and meeting their interests is not directed against third states," the text of the document emphasizes. The declaration also noted that the parties will expand joint efforts and cooperation in the fight against terrorism, organized crime, drug smuggling, illegal migration.
Moreover, Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at a joint press conference with Ilham Aliyev that a Turkish consulate would open in Shushi as soon as possible.
At the same time, Erdogan expressed the hope that peace in the region can be achieved thanks to the six- sided platform, which includes Russia, Turkey, Iran, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia. In this vein, he recalled that Turkey is ready to make every effort to form the latter, adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin has similar intentions. "We hope that Armenia will take this opportunity and reciprocate the hand of goodwill and solidarity extended to it to shape a common future," Erdogan said. The Turkish President also stressed that with the implementation of the Zangezur Corridor project, a new single corridor will open, which all countries from east to west will be able to use. During the press conference, he also said that together with the President of Azerbaijan, they discussed the possibilities of investing oil companies SOCAR and TPAO in third countries.