30.10.2026 09:30
Following the diplomatic tension that has recently occurred between Türkiye and Azerbaijan, a striking statement came from the Baku administration. At a time when Türkiye was considering nominating Feridun Sinirlioğlu for the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General position, Azerbaijan announced that it supports the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) candidate Lana Zeki Nusseibeh.
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ayhan Hajizade, in a statement on October 27, assessed the initiative to nominate UAE Minister of State Lana Zaki Nusseibeh for the post of UN Secretary-General.
Hajizade said, 'We welcome the initiative to nominate United Arab Emirates Minister of State Lana Zaki Nusseibeh for the post of United Nations Secretary-General.'
Noting that in determining the new secretary-general, candidates' professional qualifications, diplomatic experience, impartiality, and ability to build consensus among member states should be taken into account, Hajizade made assessments regarding the selection process.
In Baku's statement, while Nusseibeh's candidacy was viewed positively, no firm commitment was made that it would support her in the final selection.
Feridun Sinirlioğlu FERIDUN SINIRLIOGLU IS ON TURKEY'S AGENDA It is stated that Turkey, for its part, is considering nominating former Foreign Minister and OSCE Secretary General Feridun Sinirlioğlu for the UN Secretary-General post.
In an Associated Press report on October 2 citing diplomatic sources, it was claimed that Ankara had begun international contacts regarding Sinirlioğlu's candidacy.
In another report published on October 28, it was also alleged that Turkey was preparing to formalize the candidacy soon.
However, according to the information conveyed, as of October 30, Sinirlioğlu's name was not on the UN's official list of candidates. It was stated that Nusseibeh was officially nominated on October 21.
TENSION BETWEEN TURKEY AND AZERBAIJAN Azerbaijan's statement drew attention due to the tension that has occurred between Ankara and Baku in recent weeks.
Following criticism from Turkey regarding headscarf practices in schools in Azerbaijan, debates took place between the two countries.
In this process, after the statements of Chief Advisor to the President Oktay Saral, Azerbaijan's imposition of an entry ban on 31 Turkish citizens, including politicians and journalists, increased the tension.
ALIYEV DID NOT ATTEND THE SUMMIT IN ANKARA During the period when relations between the two countries were being discussed, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's not attending the 13th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of Turkic States held in Ankara also drew attention.
According to reports in the Azerbaijani press, Aliyev did not attend the summit due to his previously planned schedule. It was reported that Azerbaijan would be represented at the meeting by Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov.
No official statement was made that there is a direct connection between Aliyev's not attending the summit and Azerbaijan's statement regarding the UN Secretary-General candidacy.