- Turkish president joins family photo with leaders at SCO summit in Kyrgyz capital
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Tuesday on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Heads of State Summit in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek.
The leaders discussed bilateral relations between Türkiye and Azerbaijan, as well as regional and global developments, the Turkish Communications Directorate said on Turkish social media platform NSosyal.
During the meeting, Erdogan said the value of the cooperation steps taken by Türkiye and Azerbaijan, particularly in energy, infrastructure, and transportation, is better understood amid the current atmosphere in the region.
He said deepening relations in all areas under the understanding of “two states, one nation” would benefit both countries.
Erdogan also said Türkiye would continue to contribute to peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia, stressing that achieving peace would “breathe new life into the region.”
The Turkish president also invited Aliyev to attend the COP31 summit, which will be held in the southwestern Turkish city of Antalya.
Family photo at SCO summit
Following the meeting, Erdogan proceeded to the Irys Ordo Congress Center, where the summit is being held.
He was welcomed by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov before joining other leaders for a family photo.
Erdogan stood alongside Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and briefly chatted with several leaders during the photo session.