Azerbaijan's national leader Heydar Aliyev was commemorated in a ceremony held in Izmir on the 21st anniversary of his death. Speaking at the ceremony where the busts of the Great Leader Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and Aliyev were also unveiled, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay said, "Today, we are once again remembering the centuries-long solidarity and belief in a common future between two brotherly peoples, Turkey and Azerbaijan."
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay attended the ceremony held for the 21st death anniversary of Azerbaijani national leader Heydar Aliyev. The busts of Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and Aliyev, commissioned by SOCAR, were also unveiled in the memorial area during the commemoration program. The ceremony, which began with a moment of silence and the national anthems of the two countries, was attended by SOCAR Turkey Refinery and Petrochemicals Business Unit President Kanan Mirzayev, SOCAR CEO Elchin Ibadov, SOCAR Management Office President Hafiz Zeynalov, Azerbaijan Republic Ankara Ambassador Rashad Mammadov, Izmir Deputy Governor Kamil Köten, Aliağa District Governor Zekeriya Güney, Aliağa Mayor Serkan Acar, guests from Azerbaijan, SOCAR company employees and citizens.
“Türkiye and Azerbaijan are two brother countries”
Expressing his thanks and congratulations for the busts of the two leaders being built side by side, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Tugay said, “Today, we remember once again the centuries-long solidarity and belief in a common future between two brotherly peoples, Turkey and Azerbaijan. We came together to commemorate two unforgettable names in Turkish history and to keep the legacy they left alive together. Turkey and Azerbaijan are two brotherly countries that have always shared a common fate, the same joys, and the same pains. As Aliyev said; we smiled at each other with the understanding of one nation, two states and hugged each other. As Izmir, we have been a sister city with Baku for almost 40 years. The loyalty shown to Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s words, ‘Azerbaijan’s joy is our joy, its sorrow is our sorrow’ will not be forgotten for centuries.”
The busts were unveiled
SOCAR Turkey Refinery and Petrochemicals Business Unit President Mirzayev, SOCAR CEO Ibadov, SOCAR Management Office President Zeynalov, Azerbaijan Republic Ankara Ambassador Mammadov and İzmir Deputy Governor Köten drew attention to the meaning and importance of the day within the scope of protocol speeches. Speakers touched on the brotherhood and bond of affection between Turkey and Azerbaijan. It was also stated that Atatürk and Aliyev were among the prominent leaders of the Turkic world. Following the speeches, busts were unveiled and wreaths were laid. The photo exhibition opened as part of the commemoration program was visited.
