President Ersin Tatar receives honorary doctorate from Azerbaijan Technical University
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President Ersin Tatar, who is paying a visit to Azerbaijan for the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) Summit, visited Azerbaijan Technical University (ATU) in Baku and met with the rector, Prof. Dr. Vilayet Veliyev and faculty members.
During the visit, the President was awarded an honorary doctorate by the university in a ceremony held on campus.
In addition to university staff and students, the ceremony was attended by prominent figures including Ferah Aliyeva, Head of the Department for Humanitarian Policy, Diaspora, Multiculturalism, and Religious Affairs of the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration; Azerbaijani Deputy Minister of Education Idris Isayev; Turkish Ambassador to Baku Birol Akgün; TRNC Representative in Baku, Ambassador Ufuk Turganer; ATU Rector Prof. Dr. Vilayet Valiyev; members of parliament, and representatives of various Turkish institutions and organisations in Azerbaijan.
President Tatar expressed his gratitude for the continued support from the people of Azerbaijan and President Ilham Aliyev, recalling the historical hardships faced by both Turkish Cypriots and the people of Azerbaijan.
Addressing the ceremony, President Tatar referred to the history of Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriots’ struggle for independence, President Tatar stated: “The Turkish Cypriot people, as an inseparable part of the great Turkish nation, continue their struggle for sovereignty.”
On the strategic significance of the TRNC, Tatar added: “The TRNC is an independent Turkish state. It is our fortress in the eastern Mediterranean. The TRNC is the honor, pride, and flag of the Turkish world.”
"For more than half a century, negotiations on the Cyprus issue on the federal basis have failed and are exhausted," President Tatar said, adding: “The time has come to take lessons from the past and to open a new page for a realistic and sustainable settlement that is based on two States and our sovereign equality and equal international status. Such a fair settlement will bring stability to the eastern Mediterranean. However, the Greek Cypriot side still envisions a future where Turkish Cypriots become a minority and the Republic of Türkiye is excluded. We will not allow ourselves to be dragged into such a trap."
Regarding ties with Azerbaijan, President Tatar said: “President Ilham Aliyev has always supported the new political stance of the Turkish Cypriot people and the vision of a two State settlement. While some friendly nations occasionally take a step back due to pressure from the other side, Azerbaijan and President Aliyev, together with Türkiye, have stood firmly by the TRNC. We are united in spirit under the motto: ‘One nation, Three states'”.
President Tatar expressed his "deep appreciation" for the honorary doctorate, describing it as a great honor.
In his speech, ATU Rector Prof. Dr. Vilayet Valiyev praised President Tatar for his longstanding commitment to strengthening solidarity in the Turkic world, bringing fraternal nations closer, preserving national values, and passing them on to future generations.
Valiyev emphasised that under Tatar’s leadership, the Turkish Cypriot people have made their rightful voice heard in international politics, maintained a dignified stance, and laid the groundwork for a strong future. He also underlined President Tatar’s contributions beyond politics, particularly in the fields of education, culture, and science, noting his support in strengthening ties between ATU and TRNC universities.
Valiyev concluded his speech by announcing the ATU Academic Council’s decision to award President Tatar the donorary doctorate, stating: “This is a historic decision that recognises not only the contributions of President Tatar, but also symbolises our shared commitment to the future. It reflects the respect of both ATU and the broader Azerbaijani academic community, as well as the Turkic world’s strategic importance placed on education, scientific progress, and youth.”
Following his remarks, Valiyev formally presented the honorary doctorate to President Tatar.
Accompanying President Tatar were Ambassador Representative to Baku, Ufuk Turganer, Advisor to the Representative Ulaş Kıvılcım; Special Advisor to the President on International Relations and Diplomacy Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Işıksal; Special Advisor Gökhan Güler; and Foreign Press Officer Kerem Haser.