Political message, or interference in historical truth?
The decision taken by the Israeli government regarding the so-called "Armenian genocide" is considered the beginning of a new stage affecting the political atmosphere of the entire region. Therefore, it would not be correct to evaluate this approach as Ankara-Tel Aviv relations. This step once again demonstrated that some states embellish an event that did not happen with a historical guise, bring it to a legal and scientific level, and turn it into a tool of political pressure.
Evaluating the events of 1915 with parliamentary decisions is considered an approach contrary to the principles of historical science. Although Turkey has offered to create an international commission of historians for years, these calls have been ignored. Instead, political decisions are made, and historical facts become the subject of geopolitical interests. Israel's latest step is evaluated in Ankara as a biased political decision precisely in this context. This decision, which created new diplomatic tension in the region, also revealed the true position of the states. It is precisely at such moments that alliance and brotherhood are measured by practical steps. Recent events have shown that the value of friendship in geopolitics is known only in difficult days. Azerbaijan's position became the brightest example of this.
The political test of brotherhood was successfully passed
Immediately after Israel's decision, the statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan did not go unnoticed. Baku openly condemned the politicization of the non-existent issue and defended Turkey's position. This statement was not an ordinary statement made for the sake of diplomatic courtesy. This was a strategic message demonstrating that Ankara and Baku have the same political will. The principle of "one nation, two states" was confirmed once again with a concrete political step. With this, Azerbaijan showed that it will not hesitate in matters affecting the national interests of the brotherly country.
The spirit of the Shusha Declaration was once again confirmed in real politics. Support given in difficult moments is the main indicator of strategic alliance. That is why Azerbaijan's statement was met with great attention in Turkey. This step once again proved that Baku-Ankara relations are built on an unshakable political and moral foundation.
The strongest answer to all accusations
In recent years, certain circles in Turkey tried to present Azerbaijan as "pro-Israel" due to its close relations with Israel. There were even many who targeted Baku's foreign policy with the argument of "Muslim solidarity". However, recent events clearly showed how unfounded these claims were. Although Azerbaijan continues its relations with Israel within the framework of its national interests, it stood by Ankara without hesitation in the matter affecting Turkey's national interests. This is where the essence of balanced diplomacy emerges. States act not with emotions, but with national interests. Azerbaijan, however, did not pit its national interests against its fraternal responsibility. On the contrary, it demonstrated that it is possible to protect both directions simultaneously. This is an important advantage of Baku's foreign policy school. The latest decision also showed that the accusations made against Azerbaijan in Turkey have no political basis.
The silence that emerged on the Palestinian issue
In recent years, Turkey has been one of the countries that has demonstrated the most principled position on the Palestinian issue. Ankara has consistently supported Palestine in international organizations, diplomatic platforms, and on a humanitarian level. Statements made at the presidential and government levels are a clear example of this. However, after Israel's latest decision, the absence of a similar official statement from the Palestinian side supporting Turkey raised various questions. In international relations, mutual support is an important political indicator. Inter-state relations are evaluated not only by emotional calls, but also by concrete positions. Such moments reveal the real boundaries of friendship and partnership. In diplomacy, sometimes silence is also accepted as a political position. That is why the created picture is widely discussed in various political circles. Recent events have strengthened the idea of reviewing partnership relations.
In this context, there are numerous studies and memoirs about the cooperation between Armenian terrorist groups and Palestine at the highest levels in the 1970s and 1980s. During that period, factual evidence regarding the training of ASALA terrorist organization members in camps affiliated with the Palestine Liberation Organization was included in various international publications and former intelligence materials. However, it was precisely in those years that the terrorist acts carried out against Turkish diplomats were remembered as one of the most painful periods for Ankara in terms of security.
Considering this historical background, some political observers do not consider the cautious position demonstrated by the Palestinian side in matters that Turkey considers sensitive to be accidental. The intensification of political dialogue between Armenia and Palestine in recent years, mutual high-level contacts, and the development of diplomatic relations are also evaluated as one of the noteworthy points in this context. Of course, it would not be correct to equate modern inter-state relations with the activities of armed groups that operated decades ago. Nevertheless, the trace of those events still remains in the political memory of the region, and this remains one of the frequently recalled factors in the interpretation of today's diplomatic processes.
Lessons of history and geopolitical reality
History shows that in international relations, only national interests are unchanging. The terrorist acts carried out by Armenian radical organizations against Turkish diplomats in various periods are one of the bitter pages of the region's security history. These events were crimes directed not only against Turkey, but also against international diplomacy. Historical facts show that terror can never justify political goals. Modern geopolitical reality also encourages states to make rational, not emotional, decisions. Against the background of recent events, it is clearer who Turkey's reliable partners are. Azerbaijan was the state that emerged victorious from this test. Because Baku confirmed its fraternal relations not only at the slogan level, but also with its political behavior. This strategic unity will also be one of the main factors in the future security architecture of the region. History once again showed that a true friend is known in difficult times.
Azerbaijan's position is unchanged
Azerbaijan's foreign policy is based on national interests, international law, and the principles of strategic alliance. Baku continues its relations with Israel based on mutual interests, but does not hide its position on issues affecting Turkey's national interests. Solidarity with brotherly Turkey is an unchangeable line of Azerbaijan's state policy. The principle of "one nation, two states" was once again confirmed in diplomatic practice. The claims of the so-called "Armenian genocide" are met with protest by the state and society in Azerbaijan. Recent events have shown that a balanced foreign policy is not unprincipled, but on the contrary, an indicator of strong state will. Azerbaijan is a state that can be friends with its friends and stand shoulder to shoulder with its brothers. That is why Baku is considered one of the most reliable partners in the region. Support given in difficult days is the highest criterion of strategic alliance. History remembers precisely such positions.
The language of this option is more journalistic, the headlines are more assertive, and it is closer to an analytical writing style. However, only verifiable information was used as facts regarding controversial topics, and evaluations were presented as an analytical position.
In addition, another point that has been discussed for many years in the geopolitics of the Middle East and the South Caucasus does not go unnoticed. In the 1970s and 1980s, there are numerous studies and memoirs about cooperation at various levels between some Armenian armed groups and individual Palestinian armed organizations. During that period, claims about the training of ASALA terrorist organization members in some camps affiliated with the Palestine Liberation Organization were included in various international publications and former intelligence materials. It was precisely in those years that the terrorist acts carried out against Turkish diplomats were remembered as one of the most painful periods for Ankara in terms of security.
Considering this historical background, some political observers do not consider the cautious position demonstrated by the Palestinian side in matters that Turkey considers sensitive to be accidental. The intensification of political dialogue between Armenia and Palestine in recent years, mutual high-level contacts, and the development of diplomatic relations are also evaluated as one of the noteworthy points in this context. Of course, it would not be correct to equate modern inter-state relations with the activities of armed groups that operated decades ago. Nevertheless, the trace of those events still remains in the political memory of the region, and this remains one of the frequently recalled factors in the interpretation of today's diplomatic processes.
Elnur AMIROV
