Baku, February 18, AZERTAC

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has today received Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey Mevlut Cavusoglu.

President Ilham Aliyev offered condolences to Mevlut Cavusoglu and the people of Turkey on the terror attack that happened in Ankara on February 17. The head of state noted that Azerbaijan was shocked by the attack, adding that the country resolutely condemns it. President Ilham Aliyev said that as always the Azerbaijani people stand by the people of Turkey on these difficult days.

The President said: “My brother, esteemed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a phone call to me in the evening of February 17, and said he would not be able to visit Baku because of this attack. Naturally, we understand this. I offered him condolences on behalf of the Azerbaijani people, wished Allah’s mercy to victims of the tragedy, patience to their families and recovery to the injured.”

President Ilham Aliyev also noted that they agreed to hold the session of Turkey-Azerbaijan High Level Strategic Cooperation Council in Baku at a convenient time for the Turkish President.

The head of state highlighted the importance of the session of Turkey-Azerbaijan High Level Strategic Cooperation Council in terms of further expansion of the bilateral ties between the two countries, describing this as a sign of unity.

The President noted that the Council had a broad agenda as a number of issues would be discussed at the session, expressing his confidence that it would be held soon.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu thanked the head of state for the condolences and for Azerbaijani people’s and personally President Ilham Aliyev’s standing by the Turkish people at this difficult time. Mevlut Cavusoglu highlighted the importance of combating all forms of terrorism, saying they would continue to fight against terrorism.

The Turkish Foreign Minister expressed his confidence that the next session of Turkey-Azerbaijan High Level Strategic Cooperation Council would be held soon and that the bilateral relations between the two countries would be developed under the leadership of the head of the states.

Mevlut Cavusoglu said Turkey hailed the measures recently taken in Azerbaijan to ensure development in economic and all other fields of the country`s life. He wished Azerbaijan successes in all activities under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev.