New Azerbaijan Party protests remarks by Erdogan’s adviser

The New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) has issued a statement regarding remarks about Azerbaijan made by Oktay Saral, chief adviser to the President of the Republic of Türkiye, and members of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

TodayPress TV reports that, according to a statement released by YAP’s Press Service, false, biased, defamatory and slanderous information about Azerbaijan has been circulating for a long time in several Turkish media outlets and on social media platforms, including information sources known to be close to the AKP government.

“Taking into account the partnership between the New Azerbaijan Party and the Justice and Development Party, as well as the historic bonds of brotherhood and friendship between the peoples of Azerbaijan and Türkiye, we have so far exercised restraint in responding to such incidents. Our aim has been to prevent the irresponsible conduct of certain circles from negatively affecting relations between our states and peoples.

“However, the recent intensification of this information campaign against Azerbaijan, which has become more aggressive, systematic and openly defamatory, particularly with the involvement of a person holding the status of chief adviser to the President of Türkiye and members of the ruling Justice and Development Party, makes it necessary for us to state our position openly.

“First and foremost, we firmly reject attempts to deliberately distort Azerbaijan–Israel relations, portray these ties as exceptional in nature and use them as a basis for political accusations against Azerbaijan. The Republic of Azerbaijan maintains normal interstate relations with Israel based on international law and mutual interests.

“Azerbaijan’s position on the Palestinian issue, meanwhile, is consistent, clear and principled. Our country has always supported the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and provided financial and humanitarian assistance to Palestine. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa have visited Azerbaijan on various occasions. The activities of the Embassy of the State of Palestine in Azerbaijan are also supported financially by the Azerbaijani state.

“President Ilham Aliyev has repeatedly stated at the highest international forums that Azerbaijan supports a solution to the Palestinian issue based on international law and relevant UN resolutions, in accordance with the two-state principle, with East Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Palestine. Azerbaijan’s position on developments in Gaza is likewise based on humanitarian values, the protection of civilians and international law.

“Azerbaijan’s relations with the Islamic world are also guided not by political expediency, but by the principles of mutual respect, equality and solidarity. Muslim countries highly appreciate our country’s contributions to strengthening Islamic solidarity. The planned hosting of the next summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Azerbaijan in 2027 is also an expression of the international confidence placed in our country.

“In this regard, we would like to recall that justice, equality, mutual respect and solidarity occupy an important place among the fundamental principles of Islam. No state in the Islamic world has the right to dictate its will to other Muslim peoples, interfere in their internal affairs or consider itself superior to others. Claims of serving unity in the Muslim world must be demonstrated through equal cooperation and mutual respect, not tendencies towards hegemony.

“The Azerbaijani people have historically opposed imperialism, colonialism and neocolonial approaches. This principled position remains unchanged today.

“It is deeply regrettable that Oktay Saral, chief adviser to the President of Türkiye, and members of the ruling Justice and Development Party have made populist and irresponsible statements without taking into account the substance of the issue, Azerbaijan’s constitutional order or the legal foundations of freedom of religion in our country. Such statements run counter to the spirit of Azerbaijani–Turkish brotherly relations and may serve to create artificial tensions in the public sphere.

“The Azerbaijani people have always shown great respect for their national, moral and religious values. Freedom of religion in our country is guaranteed by the Constitution. The Azerbaijani state treats representatives of all religions equally and considers religious diversity a source of richness for our society.

“The rules applied in the education sector are based on the principles of equality, secularism, the rule of law and ensuring equal opportunities for all citizens. Under the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan is a secular state. This principle is also enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Türkiye. Therefore, turning Azerbaijan’s secular state structure and education policy into an instrument of political manipulation is unacceptable.

“Political debates surrounding religious and secular values in Türkiye itself are deepening polarisation in society. We believe that using sensitive issues such as headscarves as tools for political manipulation and division serves neither the unity of the Turkish people nor solidarity across the Muslim world as a whole. Using such issues as a means of political pressure against Azerbaijan is particularly unacceptable. We call on the AKP government to refrain from this harmful policy.

“Insulting, defamatory and slanderous remarks directed at the personality of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev by certain information sources have also understandably provoked outrage among the Azerbaijani public.

“The principle of ‘One nation, two states’, established by National Leader Heydar Aliyev, forms the moral and political foundation of Azerbaijani–Turkish relations. However, the essence of this historic expression must not be distorted. It refers precisely to one nation and two independent states. This principle in no way justifies one state interfering in the internal affairs of the other or imposing its political and ideological approaches on it.

“For centuries, the Azerbaijani people have aspired to independence, restored their statehood and today live in a sovereign state that pursues an independent domestic and foreign policy under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev.

“The New Azerbaijan Party believes that representatives of the Justice and Development Party, particularly those holding senior public office, must demonstrate political responsibility in their statements and show respect for the sovereignty, constitutional order and internal affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

“We hope that the relevant political circles in Türkiye will draw the appropriate conclusions from such irresponsible statements and refrain from actions that could damage Azerbaijani–Turkish relations,” the statement said.