Erdogan's Summit Snubbed by Aliyev Amidst Turkey-Azerbaijan Tensions

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev skipped a regional summit in Turkey, hosted by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, despite a personal invitation. This absence, officially attributed to prior commitments, has drawn significant attention due to escalating tensions between Turkey and Azerbaijan. The diplomatic cooling is reportedly fueled by Azerbaijan's close ties with Israel, which Turkey finds objectionable given its own stance towards the Jewish state. Aliyev was represented by his Foreign Minister, Jeyhun Bayramov.

Historically, Turkey and Azerbaijan have maintained a strong strategic partnership based on shared heritage. However, recent disagreements have emerged, impacting both Azerbaijan's internal policies and its international relations. The close cooperation between Baku and Israel has become a particular point of contention for Ankara. Additionally, Turkey has criticized Azerbaijan's ban on hijabs in schools, leading to protests in Azerbaijan and a subsequent ban on 30 Turkish citizens entering the country, further straining relations.

Azerbaijani analyst Farman Aydin suggested Aliyev's absence was a diplomatic signal of the need for mutual respect in partnerships. Despite these issues, Erdogan reportedly spoke with Aliyev personally and made efforts to de-escalate, including a reported dismissal of an Erdogan aide perceived as hostile to Baku. These gestures, however, did not result in Aliyev's attendance.

During the summit, Erdogan emphasized the importance of unity among Turkic-speaking states, stressing the absence of division and conflict. His remarks highlighted the growing concerns about the cooling relationship between Ankara and Baku. For Israel, the situation is noteworthy as Azerbaijan remains a key regional partner, and the Baku-Ankara friction underscores the growing influence of Azerbaijan's relations with Israel in regional politics.