Azerbaijan University hosted a delegation from the Republic of Turkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The delegation included Istanbul MP and Chair of the Turkiye-Azerbaijan Interparliamentary Friendship Group Şamil Ayrım; Konya MP and Chair of the Turkiye-Northern Cyprus Interparliamentary Friendship Group Orhan Erdem; chairman of the Board of the East Mediterranean University Foundation in Northern Cyprus, Erdal Özdenk; The University rector prof. Hasan Kılıç; and political advisor to the President of Northern Cyprus, Anıl Kaya. Azerbaijan University was represented by Rector Dr. Saadat Aliyeva (PhD in Philology), Vice-rector for Scientific Affairs Dr. Yusif Gasimov (Doctor of Mathematics), Advisor to rector and director of the International Graduate and Doctoral Center assoc. prof. Nushaba Guliyeva (PhD in History), and Head of the International Relations Department Elmira Ismayilova.

The main topic of the meeting, which was also attended by Dr. Anar Isgandarov, chair of the Science and Education Committee of the Milli Majlis, historian, and professor, was the establishment of academic cooperation between Eastern Mediterranean University and Azerbaijan University. Rectors Saadat Aliyeva and Hasan Kılıç shared detailed insights into their respective institutions and discussed potential avenues and mechanisms for collaboration.

The meeting also addressed relations between the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and Azerbaijan. It was emphasized that Northern Cyprus is considered part of the Turkic world. Azerbaijan supports the struggle of Northern Cyprus, demonstrates a principled position on its recognition and solidarity with the theses of Turkiye. The Milli Majlis has an established working group on interparliamentary relations with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Azerbaijan has also played an active role in facilitating observer status for Northern Cyprus in the Organization of Turkic States. The guests expressed gratitude for the meeting between the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Ersin Tatar, which took place at the Diplomatic Forum in Antalya in April. They also acknowledged Ersin Tatar’s participation in the Informal Summit of Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States held in Shusha in 2024.

The meeting concluded with the signing of a memorandum of cooperation and an exchange of commemorative gifts between the parties.

Public Relations Department