The key facts

  • Erdogan arrived in Karabakh at Ilham Aliyev's invitation for Victory Day on November 8
  • Talks in Shusha and a joint press conference are planned
  • The delegation includes Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin

Visit to Karabakh for Victory Day

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Karabakh on Sunday at the invitation of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to take part in celebrations marking Victory Day, which Azerbaijan observes on November 8. He was met at Fuzuli International Airport by Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva, together with his own spouse Emine Erdogan, Anadolu reports.

Program of the visit

According to the agency, Erdogan will hold bilateral talks with Aliyev in Shusha, followed by a joint press conference. The program also includes visits to the Khojaly genocide memorial and the Victory monument in Khankendi, as well as an official dinner.

Composition of the delegation

Earlier on Sunday, the president was seen off at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport by Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz, Istanbul Governor Davut Gul, and head of the Istanbul branch of the ruling AKP party Abdullah Ozdemir. The delegation, in addition to the president's spouse, includes Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli, National Intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin, Director of Communications Burhanettin Duran, presidential adviser on foreign policy and security Akif Cagatay Kilic, AKP deputy chairman Kursad Zorlu, as well as Binali Yildirim — Chairman of the Elders' Council of the Organization of Turkic States.