BAKU, Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev congratulated Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his 70th birthday, Azerbaijani Presidency said on Sunday.

Wishing Erdogan success and health, Aliyev said: “Your life is an example of faithfully serving the homeland and the people.”

“You are a great personality, a distinguished statesman who has worked selflessly for the prosperity of brotherly Türkiye, for its development today, and for it to take its rightful place in the international arena,” the Azerbaijani leader said in the message.

“You have fulfilled your historical mission with confidence and determination, and with your farsighted and decisive policy, you have made your country one of the most prominent and powerful states in the world.

“Türkiye's significant achievements and gains in the last 20 years are linked to your name,” the message read.

Aliyev emphasized that they wish the fraternal country Türkiye to achieve all the goals and objectives it has set for itself and to achieve new successes and victories.

“You are a true friend of the Azerbaijani people,” he said, adding: “Your heartfelt devotion to Azerbaijan has found expression in your constant support for the territorial integrity of our country, in strengthening the Azerbaijan-Türkiye fraternity, in your unparalleled services for the sake of keeping our alliance unshakable.”

“Your resolute and clear stance and unwavering support for the just cause of Azerbaijan are remembered with gratitude by our people,” he noted.

Recalling that he paid his first official visit to Türkiye after the elections in his country, Aliyev thanked his Turkish counterpart for his invitation and hospitality.

The Azerbaijani president also emphasized that he is confident that the relations between the two countries, which draw their strength from common history, rich national and spiritual values, brotherhood and unity of peoples, will develop and strengthen in line with the principle of "one nation, two states" with their joint efforts.

* Writing by Merve Berker