Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Ilham Aliyev
Newly sworn-in President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan delivered a joint press conference with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev on Tuesday during his first official overseas trip after taking an oath of office to become the Republic of Turkey's first executive president under its new governmental system.
"TANAP is a vital project for both us and Azerbaijan. It also carries importance in that it is a strategic investment," said Erdoğan.
TANAP, which went live in June, is a natural gas pipeline stretching from the Turkish-Georgian border to the Turkish-Greek border to supply natural gas to both Turkey and also European countries.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan arrived in Azerbaijan on Tuesday on his first overseas trip after making an oath of office to become the Republic of Turkey's first president under its new governmental system.A guard of honor was held for Erdoğan at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport, which was decorated with the national flags of the two countries.Erdoğan takes presidential oath of the officeErdoğan and his wife Emine were welcomed by Azerbaijani first Deputy Prime Minister Yagub Eyyubov and other officials.The Turkish president visited the Alley of Honor to commemorate National Leader Heydar Aliyev, the architect and founder of independent Azerbaijan.Erdoğan laid a wreath at the national leader’s grave.Galeri: Turkish President Erdoğan visits AzerbaijanPresident Erdoğan announces new Turkish cabinetToday we are making a new start, says Erdoğan at inauguration ceremonyTurkish president pays respect to nation's founder
Erdoğan visits Azerbaijan on first trip abroad as executive president
The 1,850-kilometer pipeline is the largest section of the 3,500-kilometer Southern Gas Corridor, which was inaugurated on May 29 in Baku.
Erdoğan said the project has great importance in terms of making a connection between Azerbaijan and Europe, besides the connection between Turkey and Azerbaijan.
The president emphasized that Turkish-Azeri relations are strengthened on the basis of “one nation, two states,” referring to the Turkic roots of both.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan arrived in Azerbaijan on and visited the Alley of Honor to commemorate National Leader Heydar Aliyev, the architect and founder of independent Azerbaijan.Turkish President Erdoğan visits Azerbaijan
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Highlighting the strategic alliance between the two countries, Erdoğan noted that these projects will accelerate the prosperity of both countries.
Erdoğan’s trip to Azerbaijan is his first state visit since Monday’s inauguration to a second term, under Turkey’s new presidential system of government, continuing the tradition of Turkey’s leaders first visiting Azerbaijan and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) after taking office.
Intense security measures stand out at the entrance of the camp where Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) leader Fetullah Gülen lives in Pennslyvania’s Saylorsburg village in the U.S.An American security guard with gun and vest stopped journalists from Anadolu Agency when they showed up with their press cards around the camp.Cars and people go through a thorough search at the security post. People entering the camp leave their cell phones and electronic devices at the post.Video: Security measures stand out at FETÖ’s Pennsylvania campAmerican security staff with heavy weapons and vests guard the entrance.Some FETÖ members realized Anadolu Agency taking footage and tried to hide their faces while entering the complex.Cevdet Turkyolu, who manages the camp, also known as Gülen’s dark horse, has seven houses around the camp area worth between over $100,000 to $500,000. He also has real estate worth millions of dollars in Florida and Turkey as well. He and his relatives’ names are mentioned in the Turkish government's list of people behind the defeated coup of July 15, 2016.Pennsylvania residents irked by FETÖ presenceAnadolu Agency has footage of one of the houses with an American flag inside it, near the window.Fetullah Gülen, leader of the Fetullah Terrorist Organization and a fugitive from Turkish justice, has lived in the U.S. for decades.Since 1999, Gülen resides in a secluded mansion complex named the “Golden Generation camp” at Pennslyvania’s Saylorsburg village.Four FETÖ members jailed in defunct daily caseLocals in Saylorsburg village have voiced concern over Gülen's hideout in their country and expressed unease at terror group’s obscure activities and secluded living in the U.S.In July 2016, FETÖ and Gülen orchestrated a defeated coup in Turkey which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.Since the coup bid, Turkey has sought Gülen's extradition from the U.S., and complained that the U.S. is not moving fast enough on its request.Turkey issues arrest warrants for 346 FETÖ suspectsAnkara also accuses FETÖ of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.FETÖ also has a considerable presence outside Turkey, including private educational institutions that serve as a revenue stream for the terrorist group, including in the U.S.FETÖ terror ringleader sends instructions to group members
Security measures stand out at FETÖ’s Pennsylvania camp
Fight against FETÖ
Erdoğan also highlighted Azerbaijan’s support for Turkey against the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ).
The Turkish president thanked Aliyev for his “support in the fight against FETÖ.”
FETÖ and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gülen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 250 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured. FETÖ is also behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.