Azerbaijan is Türkiye’s gateway to Asia, says Murat Anar

“Azerbaijan’s chairmanship of the Organization of Turkic States was important. Türkiye has always held Azerbaijan in high regard as its gateway to Asia.”

Journalist Murat Anar made the remarks in an interview with TodayPress TV on the sidelines of the 13th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS).

He said Azerbaijan holds strategic importance in Türkiye’s relations with other Turkic states.

“Having such a country chair the organisation has naturally further strengthened Türkiye’s relations with other Turkic states.

“At the same time, Azerbaijan has truly emerged as a rising star in recent years, particularly following the Victory in Karabakh. Azerbaijan, which stands as a shining star of the Turkic world, is encouraging other Turkic states to take significant steps towards greater unity.

“That is why Azerbaijan is indispensable to the Turkic world. I always say this: Azerbaijan is the heart of the Turkic world. Even at times when no one spoke about Turkic identity or Turkic unity, Azerbaijan always stood by the Turkic world and the idea of Turan,” he said.

It should be noted that Ankara is hosting the 13th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States on October 29–30. On October 30, the heads of state will attend the summit under the motto “The Turkic Century: Unity in Language, Thought and Action.”

The meeting is also of major significance for Azerbaijan, as Türkiye is set to take over the organisation’s chairmanship from Azerbaijan.

Giymat Mahir