The independence of the state is protected at all times. Otherwise, its existence will not last long. It is not only territorial integrity that is protected. The protection of sovereign rights is as important as the prevention of violations of the country's borders. In both cases, the security of the state is threatened. It violates the territorial integrity of a state whose sovereign rights have been infringed in the long run.
Turkey and Azerbaijan maintain their territorial integrity and sovereignty. Azerbaijan has been struggling for 30 years for the restoration of territorial integrity and sovereign rights. Two states support each other in these issues and prevent the breaking of their rights. Azerbaijan has always fought against those who try to violate Turkey's territorial integrity. Turkey also fully supported official Baku in restoring Azerbaijan's territorial integrity.
Azerbaijan, a territory that remained a closed province under Soviet rule, opened up to the world. Turkey is helping a lot in this direction. In this regard, the relations, contacts, and cooperation between the two countries also give impetus to the modernization of Azerbaijan. This has long been confirmed, for example, it is enough to show the link between Turkey and Azerbaijan during the 44-day war.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Azerbaijan on October 26 for the third time this year. Every trip of the President of Turkey is support for Azerbaijan. It has become a tradition for Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Recep Tayyip Erdogan to participate together in various ceremonial events. It is also a symbol of the unity of the two countries. Notably, the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Turkey attended the opening of Fuzuli International Airport.
Such relations between the two countries promote regional and global cooperation and security. Other countries interested in local and regional development are joining or may join the cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkey in the South Caucasus. Azerbaijani-Turkish relations are also an example of respect for each other's sovereign rights and territorial integrity. These relations prove that greater success can be achieved based on mutual respect between states. Ankara and Baku officials have always said in their speeches that Azerbaijan's sovereignty and power are the sovereignty and power of Turkey, and Turkey's sovereignty and power are the sovereignty and power of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani and Turkish societies treat each other in the same way.
Since its inception, the Republic of Turkey has maintained its territorial integrity and demanded that its sovereignty be respected within the framework of international law and norms. The situation in the region has been threatening the country's security for many years. Terrorists operating in neighboring countries have become a constant menace to Turkey's territorial integrity and security. Being not satisfied with it, those who support terrorists also interfere in Turkey's internal affairs.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan instructed the Foreign Ministry to declare the ambassadors of the United States, Canada, France, Finland, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, and Sweden to Turkey 'persona non grata' for their statements on social media about the trial of Osman Kavala, accused of plotting a coup in July 2016. He said that regardless of the title, no one who does not respect the independence of Turkey and the sensitivity of the nation can live and work in this country.
Osman Kavala was arrested on November 1, 2017, as part of an investigation into the Gezi Park protests, the December 17-25 assassinations of the Fethullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), and the attempted coup d'etat on July 15. He is accused of being the manager and organizer of the Gezi terrorist organization. Kavala was acquitted of the charges in court in 2019 but was re-arrested immediately after his release, this time in connection with other charges related to the coup attempt. In the end, the court sentenced him to 4 years in prison.
As a result of the statement of the Turkish leader and the activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ambassadors of these countries stepped back and said they would comply with the Vienna Convention. Seven of these ambassadors are Turkey's strategic allies in NATO. According to Article 41 of the 53-article Vienna Convention on the Activities of Diplomatic Missions, which was signed in 1961 and has been in force since 1964, every ambassador enjoying privileges and immunities must abide by the laws and regulations of the opposite side without prejudice to the sovereignty and independence of States. The duty of ambassadors is not to interfere in the internal affairs of the state. This sets a framework for diplomatic relations between independent countries. The Convention adopted by 192 states is the cornerstone of modern international relations. Ambassadors have the right and duty to represent their countries within their competence, carry out the foreign policy course of their lands, and assist in developing economic, social, scientific, technical, cultural, and other cooperation with the host country.
When the state border is violated by air, land, and water, the military prevents interference. Terrorists operating against Turkey are armed and instructed by the abovementioned states. It is not their new war against the country. For more than a hundred years, they have been trying to weaken Turkey under various pretexts. One such excuse is to provide assistance and support to the terrorist PKK / YPG-PYD. The goal is to get Turkey into a scandal, to make it dependent. This time, the actors tried to make a different claim. They made statements against Turkey's sovereignty under the banner of human rights.
Official Ankara's behavior was as important as the protection of the state border. This can be considered as an attempt to check the pulse of Turkey. That is why the unchanging actors are putting pressure on Turkey with the same mindset, which failed again. The ambassadors of ten countries could be declared 'persona non grata' for violating the sovereign rights of the state in which they operate. This would be the first event in history. The event would have a negative impact on the international reputation of these countries.
Turkey protected international law and norms by demanding respect for its sovereignty and taught diplomacy to lead nations. Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visits are propaganda of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity at the international level. With this step, the Turkish leader sends a message to the 100-year-old actors of the world political scene that cooperation is more important.