[ 22 Oct 2009 20:02 ]
Baku. Lachin Sultanova, Elbrus Seyfullayev-APA. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov visited Heydar Aliyev’s grave in the Alley of Honors, Martyrs’ Alley and Turkish memorial to Turkish soldiers.
APA reports that both ministers came to the alley in the cars carrying Azerbaijani and Turkish flags.
The foreign ministers issued a joint statement in the memorial to Turkish soldiers. Ahmet Davutoglu said he was pleased to visit Azerbaijan. Turkish Minister noted that he met with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister and President Ilham Aliyev, they discussed Azerbaijan-Turkey relations, the problems of the two countries.
“We came to the conclusion that Turkish and Azerbaijani territories, flags are the same for us. We consider Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity our territorial integrity, Azerbaijan’s flag our flag. Our flags are alike, the crescent moon and star on them are the same. Turkey is concerned over the recent happenings as much as Azerbaijan is. The memorial to Turkish soldiers has been entrusted to our Azerbaijani brothers. Turkey and Azerbaijan will remain brothers forever. Both flags are Turkish flags. We will not allow anyone to insult these flags. Turkey will continue to defend Azerbaijan. Our common Turkish language, common flag is eternal,” he said.
Elmar Mammadyarov said he had one-on-one meeting with Ahmet Davutoglu, later they met with President Ilham Aliyev.
“The principle ‘one nation, two states’ is effective. We discussed the unpleasant incidents concerning the flags. Our views coincided. Ahmet Davutoglu said the incident in connection with Azerbaijani flag will be investigated in Bursa, criminal case will be launched. The wrongdoers will be punished. Azerbaijan-Turkey friendship, love, brotherhood will not be affected,” he said.
Both ministers answered the question of APA’s correspondent “Will Azerbaijani and Turkish flags be hung out in the memorial to Turkish soldiers again?”
Ahmet Davutoglu said the incidents concerning the flags should not affect the relations between the two brotherly countries.
“An incident happened in Bursa. Investigation is being carried out. Some videos broadcasted in media are provocations, they aim to stir up discord. We will not allow anybody to insult Azerbaijan’s flag in Turkey. Despite this, we are investigating this provocation and will take measures. The Turkish flag in the memorial is not the flag of others, this is the flag of our common Turkish language. The flags of Azerbaijan and Turkey were hung out here together. We hope these flags will soon be hung out in the memorial again,” he said.
Elmar Mammadyarov said all saw the attitude towards Azerbaijan’s flag in Bursa stadium.
“It has been decided to punish those persons. We will also take necessary measures,” he said.