Erdoğan’s Azerbaijan visit: Official welcome in Shusha

President Erdoğan was formally welcomed by Ilham Aliyev in Shusha after travelling to Karabakh for Azerbaijan’s November 8 Victory Day celebrations.

General News

Mirat Haber

09/11/2026 01:15

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President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan travelled to Karabakh at the invitation of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for Azerbaijan’s November 8 Victory Day celebrations. After being welcomed at Fuzuli International Airport, Erdoğan continued to Shusha. At the official ceremony at the Shusha Governor’s Office, the two countries’ national anthems were played and the leaders introduced their delegations.

Key facts about the visit

The visit took place at Aliyev’s invitation as part of Azerbaijan’s Victory Day celebrations.
Erdoğan was accompanied by his wife, Emine Erdoğan.
Ilham Aliyev and his wife, Mehriban Aliyeva, welcomed the Erdoğans in Fuzuli.
A military band played both countries’ national anthems at the ceremony in Shusha.

What route did Erdoğan take from Istanbul to Shusha?

Erdoğan departed Istanbul for Karabakh. Following the welcome at Fuzuli International Airport, he and his wife, Emine Erdoğan, travelled to the Shusha Governor’s Office. Aliyev and his wife, Mehriban Aliyeva, also welcomed the couple there. The official welcome began with the two presidents taking their places at the ceremony. After the national anthems, the leaders introduced their delegations.

According to TRT Haber’s report sourced from Anadolu Agency, Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, Istanbul Governor Davut Gül and AK Party Istanbul provincial chair Abdullah Özdemir saw Erdoğan off at Istanbul Atatürk Airport.

Who was in the delegation accompanying Erdoğan?

The delegation in Shusha included senior officials responsible for foreign affairs, defence, agriculture and intelligence. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, National Defence Minister Yaşar Güler, Agriculture and Forestry Minister İbrahim Yumaklı and National Intelligence Organisation chief İbrahim Kalın were among those at the ceremony.

The delegation also included Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran, Chief Presidential Adviser on Foreign Policy and Security Akif Çağatay Kılıç and Deputy Chair of the Presidential Security and Foreign Policy Council Çağrı Erhan. AK Party Deputy Chair and head of relations with Turkic states Kürşad Zorlu and Binali Yıldırım, chair of the Organisation of Turkic States’ Council of Elders, were also part of the delegation.

Questions and answers about the visit

Why did Erdoğan visit Azerbaijan?

Erdoğan travelled to Karabakh at Ilham Aliyev’s invitation to attend Azerbaijan’s November 8 Victory Day celebrations.

Where was the official welcoming ceremony held?

The official welcoming ceremony was held at the Shusha Governor’s Office. After Erdoğan and Aliyev took their places, a military band played the two countries’ national anthems, and the two leaders introduced their delegations.