Recent Developments in Turkey-Azerbaijan Relations and the Ankara Summit

The absence of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev from the 13th Heads of State and Government Summit of the Organization of Turkic States held in Ankara brought the backdrop of diplomatic developments between the two countries in recent weeks to the agenda.

The failure of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to participate in the 13th Heads of State and Government Summit of the Organization of Turkic States in Ankara highlighted the recent activity emerging in Turkey-Azerbaijan relations. In the relations conducted with the motto "Two states, one nation," mutual reactions had emerged over the school uniform regulation in Azerbaijan.

During this process, it drew attention that Chief Advisor to the President Oktay Saral resigned due to his criticisms directed at the Azerbaijani administration. Additionally, the banning of some Turkish politicians and journalists from entering Azerbaijan and Aliyev's absence at the summit increased questions regarding the course of relations.

Assessment: Making evaluations on the subject, Manshat Haber guest writer Sener Godekli stated that reading the discussions solely through the headscarf regulation might be insufficient. Godekli drew attention to the possibility that there might be different diplomatic calculations behind the harsh statements between the administrations.