Erdoğan joins Aliyev for Azerbaijan’s Victory Day in Karabakh

By Nadira Tudor & Nargiz Mammadzada Published on 8 November 2026 - 18:11 GMT+1 Share Comments Add Euronews on Google Share Facebook Twitter Flipboard Send Reddit Linkedin Messenger Telegram VK Bluesky Threads Whatsapp Azerbaijan celebrated on Sunday its sixth Victory Day, marking the end of the Karabakh war. Turkey's Erdoğan joined the commemorations in Baku to underscore the strength of bilateral ties despite recent differences, with Aliyev declaring that "this unity will last forever". Azerbaijan marked Victory Day on Sunday with nationwide commemorations celebrating the sixth anniversary of the end of the Karabakh war. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev led the Victory Day commemorations by laying a wreath at the Victory Monument in Khankendi, where he paid tribute to Azerbaijani soldiers and officers who died during the 2020 war. Aliyev called the liberation of Shusha on 8 November 2020 the decisive moment of the conflict and congratulated both the nation and the Armed Forces for their victory six years ago. “The liberation of Shusha effectively decided the outcome of the Second Garabagh War,” Aliyev said. In a powerful message about the strength of the ties between Turkey and Azerbaijan despite recent differences, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan travelled to Azerbaijan to participate in the commemorations at Aliyev's invitation. Erdoğan and his wife, Emine Erdoğan, were greeted by Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva in Karabakh. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and wife Emine Erdogan and President Ilham Alieyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva president.az The visit comes after weeks of diplomatic disagreements between Ankara and Baku, along with criticism of Azerbaijan from within Turkish society. Yet on a day of considerable historical significance for both countries, the two leaders spoke of their intent to demonstrate the resilience of their long-standing partnership. Welcoming Erdoğan, Aliyev described the Turkish president's presence at the commemorations in Karabakh as a demonstration of their alliance's strength during a joint press conference. "This unity will last forever," Aliyev declared. "Your presence with us on Victory Day brings joy to the entire Azerbaijani people." He added that the two countries were stronger together and that Erdoğan’s visit to Karabakh demonstrated their unity to the world. In a post on X, Erdoğan said that "six years ago, under the resolute leadership of my brother Ilham, the Azerbaijani people stood united and, with great heroism, restored Karabakh’s freedom." "This glorious victory remains the finest expression of Azerbaijan’s just cause and a source of pride for the entire Turkic world." Erdoğan joined Aliyev in reaffirming their special relationship by saying that “those seeking to weaken the Azerbaijan-Turkey brotherhood will never achieve their goals.” Erdoğan's visit also highlighted the alliance's importance as both countries navigate shifting regional relationships and international priorities, with shared strategic interests even when differences emerge over individual policies. Erdoğan sought to reinforce the alliance's importance ahead of his visit, countering criticisms of Baku within Turkish society by saying relations with Azerbaijan extended “far beyond conventional diplomatic engagement.” He also said that the “unbreakable bond” between the countries was a product of “our joint history, culture, destiny, and, God willing, our future.” “Ties between Turkey and Azerbaijan could overcome all obstacles”, Erdoğan said, and his presence at the Victory Day commemorations appeared to have reinforced that message. President Ilham Aliyev, Victory Day commemoration on 8 November 2026, Azerbaijan president.az Aliyev echoed Erdoğan, describing the two countries' relationship as exceptionally close. “I have said many times that there are no countries in the world as attached to each other as Azerbaijan and Turkey,” Azerbaijan's president said. 'Brotherly Turkish people were by our side' The relationship was reinforced during the last 44-day war between Azerbaijan and Armenia in 2020, when Turkey provided political and military support to Baku. Azerbaijan's retaking of the strategically important city of Shusha on 8 November marked a turning point in the conflict, with a Russian-brokered ceasefire agreement signed two days later on 10 November. The anniversary of Shusha’s capture is now commemorated annually as Azerbaijan’s Victory Day. Azerbaijan's President Aliyev laying down flowers for Victory Day commemoration president.az Aliyev acknowledged Turkey's support during the 2020 conflict, whilst directly addressing Erdoğan, stating that “during 44 days, my dear brother, and the brotherly Turkish people were by our side." The Azerbaijani-Turkish alliance was formalised on 15 June 2021, when the Shusha Declaration on Allied Relations was signed, which strengthened defence and security cooperation. A shared vision for the future As the two leaders made this year's Victory Day a powerful symbol of the historical and political relationship between Turkey and Azerbaijan, six years after the war, the South Caucasus is entering a new phase with economic cooperation, reconstruction and regional diplomacy shaping its future. Turkey and Azerbaijan have had a strong relationship over the last decades, and their cooperation in defence, trade, energy and transport has strengthened connections between the South Caucasus, Central Asia and European markets. The Southern Gas Corridor, which transports Azerbaijani natural gas through Turkey towards Europe, has become increasingly important as European countries seek to diversify their gas supplies and switch away from Russian gas. The proposed Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) has also become a wider part of discussions about regional connectivity and economic integration. Speaking alongside Erdoğan on Victory Day, Aliyev said the partnership had implications beyond their national borders. “Turkey-Azerbaijan unity is an important factor across a vast geographical area, contributing to stability, cooperation, and security,” he said. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and President Ilham Aliyev shaking hands during a joint press conference on Victory Day, 8 November 2026 president.az Reconstruction and restoration in Karabakh Earlier in the day in Khankendi, Aliyev highlighted Azerbaijan's post-war reconstruction efforts and the return of displaced communities. “Today we are building and creating a free Karabakh,” Aliyev said during Sunday's commemorations. Erdoğan said, “We highly appreciate Azerbaijan’s reconstruction efforts in Karabakh,” adding that Turkey would continue contributing its experience to rebuilding the region. According to Aliyev, 97,000 people now live, study and work in the territories Azerbaijan regained control of as the government's so-called "Great Return Programme" continues. Official figures show that more than 40,000 residents have resettled in newly constructed communities, including Fuzuli, Zangilan, Lachin and Shusha. State infrastructure expenditure across these areas has surpassed €10 billion since 2020. Engineering projects have completed international airports in Fuzuli, Zangilan, and Lachin, alongside 3,000 kilometres of high-capacity highways. At the same time, green energy initiatives target 2,000 megawatts of renewable power generation capacity by 2030. Parallel to civil engineering, Azerbaijani state programmes led by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation have focused on heritage rehabilitation across recovered territories. In Shusha, specialists have restored 27 historical and architectural monuments, including seven mosques, six historical water springs, and seven cultural sites. Environmental agencies have simultaneously launched nationwide greening drives, planting thousands of Eldar pine and olive trees, alongside forest regeneration in Topkhana. Civic observances have also expanded across national institutions. On 3 November, Azerbaijan's national assembly Milli Majlis adopted an official parliamentary statement framing post-war reconstruction as the cornerstone of future economic growth. Direct bilateral talks and peace treaty framework After the war, Azerbaijan's national focus shifted towards building a historic peace process with Armenia after decades of tragedies for both sides. Diplomatic relations between Baku and Yerevan have since shifted from multi-party international mediation formats to direct bilateral negotiations between government commissions as the peace process is built. Earlier this year, joint border teams completed the formal physical demarcation of a 12.7-kilometre northern border section, erecting the first mutually agreed boundary posts along the frontier. Bilateral negotiating teams have finalised most articles of a draft comprehensive peace treaty. Core provisions focus on mutual recognition of state sovereignty, territorial integrity, and opening regional transport connections. Beyond bilateral legal agreements, economic integration forms the primary foundation for post-conflict governance. Regional transit projects aim to connect landlocked commercial routes across the South Caucasus directly to wider Eurasian transport arteries, including the Middle Corridor. Go to accessibility shortcuts Share Comments Add Euronews on Google Read more Families of missing Azerbaijanis call for support from European institutions EU–Turkey summit in October aims to restart Cyprus talks Azerbaijan, Turkey and Uzbekistan join forces in major military exercise World News Turkiye (Turkey) Peace History Azerbaijan Comments