On June 6, 2025, the Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center) hosted a roundtable titled "The Threats and Opportunities Posed by New Geopolitical Realities for Azerbaijan-Türkiye Relations." 

Renowned analysts from Azerbaijan and Türkiye attended the event and analyzed the impact of the recent processes unfolding in the South Caucasus and the broader Eurasian region on the relations between the two countries.

In his opening remarks, Chairman of the Board of the AIR Center, noted that the conceptual foundation of Azerbaijan-Türkiye relations was laid in the 1990s and that the relations have been successfully developing for 30 years.

"There are no problems between the two countries. However, we are observing certain provocative steps in the international media, especially on social networks, aimed at undermining our high-level relations. To prevent these undesirable situations, analysts from both countries should join their efforts to effectively counter these acts."

Ankara Bilim University lecturer Dr. Damla Tashkin touched upon the importance of optimizing the Türkiye -Azerbaijan alliance in the context of current trade wars and geopolitical turmoil. She also drew attention to the important role of leadership diplomacy in deepening cooperation between the two countries in 2021-2025.

Professor Mehmet Seyfettin Erol, a faculty member at Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University and the president of the Ankara Center for Crisis and Policy Studies (ANKASAM), addressed the significance of the Baku-Ankara axis from the perspective of regional and global stability. He discussed the revitalization observed in Türkiye-Central Asia relations following the Karabakh Victory, as well as the fact that this cooperation presents both opportunities and potential risks.

Associate Professor Levent Ersin Orallı, a faculty member at Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University and a commentator on foreign policy issues, analyzed Türkiye’s attitude towards the issue of Western Azerbaijan and how this issue is shaped in the socio-political discourse.

Levent Ersin Oralli, a lecturer at Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University, a commentator on foreign policy issues, and an associate professor, analyzed Türkiye’s attitude towards the issue of Western Azerbaijan and how this issue is shaped in the socio-political discourse. According to him, seminars should be organized in Türkiye on the subject, and this topic should be discussed in scientific literature. Azerbaijani literature should be translated into Türkiye’s Turkish and covered in the media accordingly.

Summarizing the speeches, Vice-Rector at Azerbaijan Tourism and Management University Araz Aslanli emphasized that mutual trust and strategic synchronization between Azerbaijan and Türkiye directly affect all processes in the region.

The second panel discussed regional power balances, new diplomatic initiatives, and relations with global actors.

Hilmi Demir, Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Institute at TEPAV- Türkiye Economic Policy Research Foundation, made a comprehensive presentation on the groups that aim to undermine bilateral relations and the reasons behind them.

Gokhan Chinkara, a lecturer at Necmettin Erbakan University and political scientist, assessed Azerbaijan-Iran-Türkiye relations and drew attention to Iran's strategic interests in the South Caucasus and the position of the Baku-Ankara line in this context.

Alper Tan, Deputy Chairman of the Strategic Thinking Institute (SDE), recalled the turning points in Türkiye-US relations during the Donald Trump era and analyzed the indirect effects of Washington-Ankara relations on Azerbaijan-Türkiye cooperation.

Tughche Tejimer, an expert at the Eurasian Studies Center (AVIM), editor-in-chief of the Review of Armenian Studies journal, has provided forecasts regarding possible scenarios of the rivalry between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the opposition in Armenia's domestic politics. She also analyzed the implications of this rivalry for the normalization process with Türkiye and Azerbaijan.

Orkhan Valiyev, Head of the Department of Political Science and Philosophy at Khazar University, emphasized that in the context of the changing international relations system, Azerbaijan and Türkiye can safeguard their national interests only through mutual strategic support. In this regard, diplomatic coordination, cooperation in the field of security, and regional initiatives hold particular significance.

In conclusion, the roundtable participants stated that Azerbaijan-Türkiye relations are a model of alliance based on common national identity, historical ties, and cultural factors, as well as real security and economic interests. Current geopolitical changes necessitate further strengthening of this model and its orientation to new areas.