The international conference on “Return to Western Azerbaijan as an Important Condition for the Supremacy of Human Rights” organized by the Western Azerbaijan Community and Azerbaijan Turkey House was held at the Sheraton Hotel in Ankara. Speakers included Vice President of the Republic of Turkey Dr. Cevdet Yılmaz, AK Party Vice Chairman and GNAT Member Efkan Ala, AK Party Vice Chairman Zafer Sırakaya, Turkey-Azerbaijan Friendship Group Chairman and AK Party Istanbul MP Şamil Ayrım, Head of the Presidential Administration’s Department for Relations with Political Parties and Legislative Power Prof. Dr. Adalet Veliyev, Western Azerbaijan Community Chairman and MP Aziz Alekberov, and Azerbaijan Turkey House Chairman and MP Tenzile Rüstemhanlı.

Prof. Dr. Veliyev read the letter from President Ilham Aliyev addressed to the conference participants. In the letter, Aliyev thanked Turkey for its principled position in supporting the rights of Western Azerbaijanis and noted the conference’s importance on the path to peace, justice, and human rights in the region.

Efkan Ala stated in his speech: “The right of Western Azerbaijanis to peacefully return to their lands is one of the most fundamental principles of international law.”

Prof. Dr. Adalet Veliyev said: “This issue is not only Azerbaijan’s but a test of conscience for the entire Turkic world. Defending the historical and humanitarian rights of Western Azerbaijanis is our common responsibility.”

Vice President Dr. Cevdet Yılmaz stated: “As Turkey, we always stand by brotherly Azerbaijan in its just cause. We support the voluntary and safe return process.”

In two separate panel sessions, the history of Western Azerbaijan, the international law perspective, and humanitarian aspects were discussed.

Panelists included distinguished names such as Prof. Dr. İlber Ortaylı, Prof. Dr. Yüksel Özgen, Prof. Dr. Cavid Abdullazade, Prof. Dr. Yaşar Sarı, Prof. Dr. Muharrem Kılıç, Derya Yanık, Vedat Bilgin, and Zeynep Yıldız.

In these sessions, historical documents and testimonies were used to discuss the forced displacement of Western Azerbaijanis, their loss of rights, and future-oriented solutions.

The Turkey-Azerbaijan Business People Association (TAİB) was represented at the conference by Board Chairman and businessman Elshan Guliyev, members Elshan Rasulov, Vugar Abdullah, and lawyer Alper Tolga Cırık.