16.10.2026 09:53
After the tension between Türkiye and Azerbaijan over Israeli policies and Baku's new regulation banning headscarves in schools, a statement came from AK Party Deputy Chairman Kürşad Zorlu. Noting that there may be differences in the way states progress, Zorlu stated that the two countries respect each other's sovereignty law and that problems will be discussed in the "family council".
In Türkiye-Azerbaijan relations, after recent tensions over relations with Israel and the regulation the Baku government introduced regarding headscarves in schools, a statement was made from the AK Party front.
Speaking in Ankara at an event for the Independence Day of the Kyrgyz Republic, AK Party Deputy Chairman Kürşad Zorlu, without directly addressing the tension-causing topics, assessed that "There may be differences in the way our states progress." Emphasizing that the two states respect each other's decisions and sovereign law, Zorlu said, "We also know how to discuss our problems within our family council, in a way befitting us."
Zorlu also, asking that the official view on the matter be followed from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, said, "Our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's love for Azerbaijan is heartfelt, from the heart, and contains a content that will advance resolutely into the future." Zorlu added that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev will come to Türkiye within the scope of a summit and meet with Erdoğan.
HEADSCARF REGULATION AND MUTUAL STATEMENTS
The regulation, one of the tension topics between the two countries, includes rules covering primary, middle and high schools in Azerbaijan that ban the use of "additional clothing items that disrupt the uniformity of the school uniform and are incompatible with the principle of secularism in education."
After the said regulation change, Chief Adviser to the President Oktay Saral, in a statement on his social media account on October 13, reacted: "Preventing the right to education of students wearing headscarves in Azerbaijan is unacceptable! In this age, such an understanding must never be allowed!" President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, however, has not yet made a statement on the matter.
REACTION FROM AZERBAIJAN: "INTERFERENCE IN INTERNAL AFFAIRS"
According to BBC Azerbaijani Service, after the statements, the Azerbaijan-Türkiye Inter-Parliamentary Relations Working Group reported that it "felt serious concern and sadness" over the criticism directed in the Turkish media and political circles. In the statement made to the group, the remarks of Oktay Saral and some AK Party deputies were described as "baseless accusations," while Türkiye was requested not to interfere in Azerbaijan's internal affairs and to respect the country's secular state structure.
AK Party Spokesperson Ömer Çelik, who made a statement following the developments, stated that the groups protesting Azerbaijan in Türkiye have no connection whatsoever with the party or the government.