Today, in my capacity as the Ambassador of Türkiye to Azerbaijan, I had the honor of making my first official visit to Nakhchivan. This land holds profound spiritual significance for us, which is also the birthplace of Azerbaijan's National Leader Heydar Aliyev. Nakhchivan is the only region the great leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, called 'Turkish Gate,' and which shares a land border with Azerbaijan. That is why Nakhchivan has gone down in history as the place where the 'Bridge of Hope' was opened, Birol Akgün, Ambassador of Türkiye to Azerbaijan, who is visiting Nakhchivan, told journalists.

Praising the significant economic progress Nakhchivan has achieved over the past 30 years, the ambassador said: "The special attention and care shown by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to Nakhchivan is clearly visible in the socio-economic projects implemented here. Türkiye and Nakhchivan have always maintained friendly and brotherly relations, the fact which is further solidified by the existence of a mutual land border.”

The Turkish diplomat also highlighted the importance of the opening of the Zangezur corridor, especially following the Second Karabakh War. “We wish that this corridor will become a bridge ensuring peace and cooperation in the region and contributing to the strengthening of the Middle Corridor,” the ambassador added.