Azerbaijan commemorated the sixth anniversary of the end of the Karabakh war on Sunday, with President Ilham Aliyev leading national Victory Day events. The centrepiece was a wreath-laying ceremony at the Victory Monument in Khankendi, where Aliyev paid tribute to the soldiers and officers who died during the 2020 conflict.
In his address, Aliyev singled out the liberation of Shusha on 8 November 2020 as the decisive moment of the war. “The liberation of Shusha effectively decided the outcome of the Second Garabagh War,” he said, congratulating the nation and the armed forces for their victory six years ago.
The commemorations took on a distinctly bilateral character this year, as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan travelled to Karabakh at Aliyev’s invitation. Erdoğan and his wife, Emine, were greeted by Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, in a display of unity that comes after weeks of diplomatic friction between Ankara and Baku, as well as criticism of Azerbaijan from within Turkish society.
Speaking at a joint press conference, Aliyev framed Erdoğan’s presence as proof of the alliance’s endurance. “This unity will last forever,” he declared. “Your presence with us on Victory Day brings joy to the entire Azerbaijani people.” He added that the two countries were stronger together and that Erdoğan’s visit demonstrated their unity to the world.
A bond beyond diplomacy
Erdoğan echoed that sentiment, writing on X that “six years ago, under the resolute leadership of my brother Ilham, the Azerbaijani people stood united and, with great heroism, restored Karabakh’s freedom.” He called the victory “the finest expression of Azerbaijan’s just cause and a source of pride for the entire Turkic world.”
The Turkish president also sought to counter domestic criticism of Baku, insisting that relations with Azerbaijan extended “far beyond conventional diplomatic engagement.” He described the bond as “unbreakable,” rooted in “our joint history, culture, destiny, and, God willing, our future.”
“Those seeking to weaken the Azerbaijan-Turkey brotherhood will never achieve their goals,” Erdoğan said, reinforcing the message that ties between the two countries could overcome all obstacles.
Aliyev returned the praise, noting that “there are no countries in the world as attached to each other as Azerbaijan and Turkey.” He acknowledged Turkey’s political and military support during the 44-day war in 2020, telling Erdoğan directly: “During 44 days, my dear brother, and the brotherly Turkish people were by our side.”
The alliance was formalised in June 2021 with the Shusha Declaration on Allied Relations, which deepened defence and security cooperation. That agreement has since underpinned a partnership that spans trade, energy, and transport, linking the South Caucasus, Central Asia, and European markets.
One of the most tangible projects is the Southern Gas Corridor, which carries Azerbaijani natural gas through Turkey to Europe. As European countries seek to diversify away from Russian gas, this route has gained strategic importance. The proposed Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) has also entered discussions on regional connectivity and economic integration.
As the South Caucasus enters a new phase of reconstruction and regional diplomacy, the Victory Day commemorations served as a reminder of the historical and political ties that bind Ankara and Baku. For both leaders, the message was clear: their partnership remains a cornerstone of the region’s future.
