To the President of the Republic of Turkey His Excellency Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Dear Mr. President,

Dear Brother,

Today we celebrate the 102nd anniversary of the liberation of Baku. Despite the challenges of that time, brotherly Turkey spared no effort to come to Azerbaijan’s aid. The Caucasus Islamic Army, under the command of Nuru Pasha, came to Azerbaijan and joined the struggle. The Caucasus Islamic Army, which passed the glorious battle path from Ganja to Baku, together with the newly-established Azerbaijan National Army and volunteers, liberated Baku from Armenian and Bolshevik occupation. I pay tribute to our martyrs who sacrificed their lives for this cause. Their memory will live in our hearts forever.

September 15 is a very memorable day for the people of Azerbaijan. It was on that day when Baku was liberated from occupation and declared the capital of the independent Azerbaijani state for the first time. The victorious procession of the Caucasus Islamic Army and the Azerbaijan National Army after this historic victory was welcomed with great enthusiasm and joy by residents of Baku.

Two years ago, that enthusiasm and love were once again revived in the streets of Baku as we watched with you the participation of Azerbaijani and Turkish soldiers in the military parade to mark the 100th anniversary of the liberation of Baku. Undoubtedly, this historic event will always be remembered.

The Azerbaijani-Turkish brotherhood and friendship is today an example for the whole world. On July 12, the brotherly Republic of Turkey expressed its firm stand against Armenia's military provocation against Azerbaijan. The people of Azerbaijan highly appreciate your unequivocal statements on the Tovuz events. Azerbaijan has always stood by brotherly Turkey and demonstrated its unwavering support on all matters. The Azerbaijan-Turkey strategic alliance and partnership is an essential factor ensuring peace and security in the region and contributing to the development of cooperation.

Indeed, the relations between our brotherly and friendly countries and peoples are successfully developing and expanding in all areas under the "One nation, two states" motto by the National Leader Heydar Aliyev.

Dear Mr. President, I wish strong health and success to you and everlasting peace and prosperity to the brotherly people of Turkey.

Sincerely,

Ilham Aliyev

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Baku, 15 September 2020