16.10.2026 10:35
Binali Yıldırım, Chairman of the Council of Elders of the Organization of Turkic States, also joined the debates that began over claims that students wearing headscarves were not admitted to schools in Azerbaijan. Emphasizing that Azerbaijan's independence and internal affairs must be respected, Yıldırım said, “Whose business is it to interfere in Azerbaijan's internal affairs? We absolutely do not accept such a thing. We will punish anyone who attempts or ventures to do so in the harshest way.”
Former Prime Minister and Member of the Presidential High Advisory Board Binali Yıldırım also joined the debates that began between Ankara and Baku over claims that students wearing headscarves were not admitted to schools in Azerbaijan.
In an exclusive interview with Azerbaijani journalist Ali Valiyev, Binali Yıldırım, President of the Council of Elders of the Organization of Turkic States, emphasized that Azerbaijan's sovereignty and internal affairs must be respected and stated that mutual respect is essential in relations between the two countries. Yıldırım said they would not accept attempts by other countries to interfere in Azerbaijan's internal affairs.
"WHOSE BUSINESS IS IT TO INTERFERE IN AZERBAIJAN'S INTERNAL AFFAIRS?"
During the interview, when asked about attempts to interfere in Azerbaijan's internal affairs, Yıldırım used harsh words and made the following assessments:
“Whose business is it to interfere in Azerbaijan's internal affairs? We absolutely do not accept such a thing. We punish anyone who attempts or ventures to do so in the harshest manner.”
Drawing attention to the fact that Azerbaijan is an independent state, Yıldırım said, “Azerbaijan is a separate state. It makes its own decisions. What falls to us is to show due respect for those decisions.”
"WE CANNOT TOLERATE SUCH ACTIVITIES"
Expressing that Turkey also expects the same approach from Azerbaijan, Yıldırım noted that until now they have not seen an attitude contrary to this understanding between the two countries. Yıldırım said, “Of course, we also expect the same from Azerbaijan, and we have not seen anything to the contrary to date. It is not possible for us to approve or condone those who carry out similar activities or ill-intentioned efforts.”
At the end of the interview, sending a message to the Azerbaijani people, Yıldırım made the statement, “We send the greetings and love of 86 million children of the homeland from Turkey to the Azerbaijani nation.”