Erdoğan: One of the first to rush to our country's aid during the earthquake was our dear Azerbaijan.

19.06.2025 16:51

President Erdoğan spoke at the opening of the earthquake housing built in Kahramanmaraş in partnership with Azerbaijan and TOKİ. Erdoğan stated, "One of the first to rush to our aid was dear Azerbaijan. We will never forget the solidarity of the Azerbaijani people who shared our pain. My brother Ilham and his family's strong contributions will always hold a special place in our hearts."

```html

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev made statements at the Key Delivery and Lottery Draw Ceremony of the 250,000th Disaster Housing in the Azerbaijan Neighborhood of Kahramanmaraş. Reminding that Azerbaijan was one of the first to rush to our aid during the earthquake, Erdoğan said, "My brother Ilham and his family's strong contributions always have a special place in our hearts."

Highlights from Erdoğan's statements are as follows:

I sincerely greet the 10 million brothers who contributed to our Azerbaijan Neighborhood, represented by Aliyev. Today, we are witnessing the abstraction of the motto "one nation, two states" once again.

"MAY MY LORD NOT MAKE YOU EXPERIENCE THIS PAIN AGAIN"

I thank my brother Ilham and his delegation on behalf of the people of Kahramanmaraş. The houses we have opened are one of the most concrete examples of the unity of fate between Turkey and Azerbaijan. On February 6, we experienced the greatest disaster in our history. We buried 53,735 of our people, 12,796 of whom were in Maraş. I say may my Lord not make us experience this pain again.

"ONE OF THE FIRST TO RUSH TO OUR AID WAS AZERBAIJAN"

From the very first moment of the earthquake, we never lost our faith. We did not lose hope even for a day in the face of the trial we experienced. We united with our nation. We quickly got ourselves together. One of the first to rush to our aid was Azerbaijan. We will never forget the solidarity of the Azerbaijani people, who, as soon as they heard the news of the disaster, tried to help our nation by putting everything they had on the roof of their car, sharing our pain with their prayers and tears. My brother Ilham and his family's strong contributions always have a special place in our hearts.

"OUR AZERBAIJAN NEIGHBORHOOD IS A SOURCE OF PRIDE"

Our Azerbaijan neighborhood is a source of pride for us. This neighborhood, which was destroyed by the earthquake, is rising again. This project will be a safe structure for our brothers who will reside here. It will become a leading living space not only with its houses but also with its parks and gardens.

God willing, we will complete our remaining projects by the end of the year and deliver them to our citizens. In every step taken, in every nail driven, there is the sweat and sincerity of the Turk. I express my gratitude to everyone who contributed, from the workers to the engineers.

"WHILE THE OPPOSITION IS BUSY WITH INTERNAL FIGHTS, WE ARE DELIVERING HOUSES"

We are establishing social facilities alongside housing projects. We are restoring historical sites in accordance with their era.

No matter what the conditions are in the world and our region, our priority is clear. As a government, we are focused on healing the wounds that the disaster of the century has opened in our cities as soon as possible. The number of houses we have delivered in the construction activities of the century is rapidly increasing. While the opposition is completely preoccupied with their internal conflicts, we continue to deliver our houses.

"WE HAVE MADE INVESTMENTS EXCEEDING 2 TRILLION IN THE EARTHQUAKE REGION"

Our goal by the end of 2025 is to complete 453,000 independent units. So far, we have made investments exceeding 2 trillion in the earthquake region. By the end of the year, we aim to restore all our cities and not leave behind an unfinished story. The process we are experiencing is equivalent to a national struggle. They said the government could not rise from under this rubble.

"THEIR VISION IS ONLY AS FAR AS THEY CAN SEE"

Those who throw around promises during every election period and now cannot even remember the way to the earthquake region have a vision that is only as far as the ballot boxes. Once their work is done, the nation does not even come to their minds. They cannot lift their heads from the struggle for seats. They are in a pitiful state. Our compass has never been the opposition. As we have for 23 years, we are again focused solely on our work. They will spread hopelessness, and we will be the companions of the disaster victims. They will say you cannot do it, and we will raise our cities even stronger.

"OUR COMPASS HAS NEVER BEEN THE OPPOSITION"

Our compass has never been the opposition. They will spread hopelessness, and we will be a source of hope for our earthquake-affected brothers. They will create obstacles, and we will find a way to overcome those obstacles. While they are quarreling, we will serve all of Turkey with love.

"THE AZERBAIJANI PEOPLE HAVE ACCEPTED THIS PAIN AS THEIR OWN"

Speaking at the ceremony, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev made the following statements:

"I wish mercy for all our brothers who lost their lives in the earthquake on February 6. The Azerbaijani people have accepted this pain as their own. Immediately after the earthquake, under the leadership of our esteemed President, search and rescue operations began, followed by reconstruction efforts. New houses have been delivered. This is an event that demonstrates President Erdoğan's strong leadership.

"AZERBAIJAN IS ALWAYS BY TURKEY'S SIDE"

53 people have been rescued from the disaster by Azerbaijani teams. Azerbaijan is always by Turkey's side. We are friends, brothers, and allies. Turkey and Azerbaijan are two brotherly countries standing side by side in faith.

The people of Kahramanmaraş have shown their will in this earthquake. Behind them is a strong Turkey and a strong leader, Erdoğan.