08.11.2026 08:40
President Erdoğan will visit Karabakh today on the occasion of Azerbaijan's November 8 Victory Day. Erdoğan, who will meet with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, emphasized in his congratulatory letter sent before the visit that the Karabakh victory is a source of pride for the entire Turkic world. During the meeting of the two leaders, Turkey-Azerbaijan relations and regional and global developments will be discussed.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will pay an official visit to Azerbaijan today on the occasion of the 6th anniversary of Azerbaijan's Karabakh victory. Erdoğan, who is expected to attend the Victory Day events to be held in Karabakh, will hold a bilateral meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Erdoğan, who sent a congratulatory letter to Aliyev before the visit, emphasized that Azerbaijan's restoration of freedom to its territories is a historic success not only for Azerbaijan but for the entire Turkic world.
ERDOĞAN AND ALIYEV WILL MEET IN KARABAKH
Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran announced the details of Erdoğan's visit to Azerbaijan. Duran reported that during their meeting within the scope of Victory Day, the two leaders will discuss Turkey-Azerbaijan relations as well as regional and global developments.
In his statement, Duran said: “Within the scope of the visit to be held on the occasion of Azerbaijan's Victory Day, our esteemed President and President Aliyev will hold a bilateral meeting; they will evaluate various aspects of Turkey-Azerbaijan cooperation within this framework; and they will also consult on regional and global developments.”
ERDOĞAN SENDS VICTORY DAY LETTER TO ALIYEV
President Erdoğan sent a congratulatory letter to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev before the visit on the occasion of 8 November Victory Day. According to a statement from the Azerbaijani Presidency, Erdoğan celebrated the 6th anniversary of the restoration of freedom to Azerbaijani territories that had been under occupation for 30 years and congratulated Aliyev and the people of Azerbaijan.
Erdoğan used the following statements in his letter:
“Azerbaijan's just struggle, crowned with a great victory, has also become a source of pride for the entire Turkic world. The rapid progress of the reconstruction and revival process in the regions liberated from occupation evokes a sense of pride in all of us.”
EMPHASIS ON “ONE NATION, TWO STATES”
Erdoğan, drawing attention to the fact that relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan have been further strengthened by the Shusha Declaration, stated that the two countries continue to act with the understanding of “One nation, two states.” Pointing to the importance of joint efforts to ensure peace and stability in the South Caucasus, Erdoğan made assessments regarding the future of the region.
In the continuation of his letter, Erdoğan included the following statements: “As a result of our coordinated efforts to establish permanent peace, tranquility, and stability in our region, the South Caucasus is now referred to not as a region of conflict and instability, but as a region of cooperation and development. I ask God's mercy for our heroic martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for the independence of their homeland, commemorate their precious memories with respect and reverence, and offer my gratitude to our veterans. My dear brother, on this occasion, I wish Your Excellency health and happiness, and wish the brotherly Azerbaijani people a prosperous and peaceful future, and convey my sincerest greetings and wishes.”
AZERBAIJAN CELEBRATES THE 6TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE KARABAKH VICTORY
Azerbaijan is celebrating the 6th anniversary of the Karabakh victory it achieved in 2020 on 8 November Victory Day. The Azerbaijani army launched a counter-offensive on 27 September 2020 to reclaim its territories under Armenian occupation. In the war that lasted 44 days and ended on 10 November, the Azerbaijani army removed 5 city centers, 4 towns, and 286 villages from Armenia's control.
Following the war, which ended with Armenia accepting defeat, a trilateral declaration was signed on 10 November 2020. Under the agreement, Armenia committed to withdrawing from the Aghdam, Lachin, and Kalbajar regions. Thus, Azerbaijan regained control over a significant part of its territories that had been under occupation for many years.
THE DATE OF VICTORY DAY WAS CHANGED FOR ATATÜRK
In Azerbaijan, the date of Victory Day was initially set as 10 November. However, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev decided to change this date because it coincided with the death anniversary of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey.
In line with Aliyev's decision, Victory Day was moved to 8 November, when Shusha, one of Karabakh's symbolic cities, was liberated from Armenian occupation. Thus, Azerbaijan's historic victory began to be celebrated every year on 8 November with ceremonies and events.