Tensions between Turkey and Azerbaijan, which have been unfolding for some time through mutual statements and dismissals of officials, continue to escalate in various ways.
The tensions initially emerged over Azerbaijan's close relations with Israel. They intensified following objections from Turkey to Azerbaijan's ban on headscarf in schools. Subsequently, Azerbaijan declared 31 Turkish citizens persona non grata. This was followed by the resignation of Oktay Saral, a chief adviser to the Turkish president, after he voiced criticism of the headscarf ban.
Following these developments, Erdoğan and Aliyev spoke by telephone, during which Erdoğan invited Aliyev to the Organization of Turkic States Summit scheduled to take place in Ankara today. However, the diplomatic tensions that were expected to subside following the phone call did not ease as anticipated.
Azerbaijani news websites reported that Aliyev would not attend the 13th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States, which began in Ankara, citing his participation in previously scheduled events and a busy work agenda.
President Aliyev is expected to present awards to the finalists of the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup, being held in Baku on October 30. Azerbaijan is being represented at the summit by its foreign minister.
Analysis published by APA
Meanwhile, at approximately the same time Aliyev's absence was announced, the state news agency APA published an unsigned analysis titled: "Another wave of anti-Azerbaijan campaign in Türkiye: Absurd accusations against Baku over UN Secretary-General post”
The analysis begins by stating:
" The campaign against Azerbaijan in Turkish media and on social networks shows no signs of subsiding."
It criticizes the reaction in Turkey to Azerbaijan's decision to support UAE Minister of State Lana Zaki Nusseibeh for UN Secretary-General instead of Feridun Sinirlioğlu, who was nominated as a candidate for the position in Turkey several days earlier.
The analysis makes the following points:
" Another anti-Azerbaijan wave was launched yesterday.
Previous waves focused on Azerbaijan-Israel relations and the issue of the hijab. Like the previous two waves of attacks, the third wave, which began yesterday, is also based on manipulation.
The reason for the new campaign against our country is the response of Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) to the initiative to nominate Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, Minister of State of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), for the post of Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN).
Responding to a media inquiry, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aykhan Hajizada noted that official Baku attaches particular importance to ensuring that the process of selecting the next Secretary-General is conducted in accordance with the UN Charter.
In response, accusations began circulating on Turkish social media alleging that Azerbaijan was supposedly supporting the UAE candidate rather than Türkiye's candidate for the post of UN Secretary-General, the current OSCE Secretary General, Feridun Sinirlioğlu.
As in previous waves, unfounded claims, slander, and insults against Azerbaijan are once again being spread in Turkish media and on social networks.
Türkiye has not yet officially nominated Feridun Sinirlioğlu for the post of UN Secretary-General, and there is neither an international registration of his candidacy nor an official request to Azerbaijan for support. Accusing Azerbaijan of failing to support a candidacy that does not exist is entirely unfounded from both legal and logical perspectives.
Unlike Türkiye, the UAE has officially registered its candidate and approached Azerbaijan through diplomatic channels. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry's response is fully consistent with international diplomatic etiquette: a goodwill response was provided through diplomatic channels to the party that made the official request. If Türkiye officially nominates a candidate in the future, Azerbaijan will naturally express its corresponding diplomatic position.
Sinirlioğlu and Armenia
However, other noteworthy issues arise here, specifically concerning Feridun Sinirlioğlu.
Feridun Sinirlioğlu belongs to the class of so-called "monşers" (those claiming aristocratic sophistication), who have been deeply entrenched in the Turkish Foreign Ministry for many years, regard themselves as superior to society, and are detached from the values of the people. Historically, this group has been distinguished by its condescending and arrogant attitude toward Azerbaijan and the Turkic world.
The most noteworthy point is that Feridun Sinirlioğlu is known for lobbying for unilateral rapprochement with Armenia. As early as 2018, when Azerbaijani territories were still under occupation, he was among the main advocates of the idea of unilaterally opening the borders with Armenia.
Even after the Second Karabakh War, together with his wife, who holds a position in the Foreign Ministry, he defended the position of "Why should the borders with Armenia remain closed because of Azerbaijan?" and sought to disregard official Baku's interests. On this issue, he shares the same position as Serdar Kılıç.
Feridun Sinirlioğlu has a political history of being prepared to sacrifice not only Azerbaijan's national and strategic interests but even those of Türkiye itself in his pursuit of the OSCE Secretary-General position or other international posts.
In any case, whom Türkiye nominates for which position is its own affair. However, engaging in manipulation around this issue before a candidate has even been officially nominated is a continuation of the policy of artificially targeting Azerbaijan.
First, a candidate should be nominated and an official request submitted to Azerbaijan. Only then can the issue be considered and a decision made.
Targeting Azerbaijan once again without following procedural rules in accordance with international norms, and making unfounded accusations against a country described as brotherly, is unacceptable by any standard. The developments leave no room for doubt that the anti-Azerbaijan campaign in Türkiye is systematic, coordinated, and deliberate.”
