page_title: Azerbaijan–Turkey relations
section_title: Failure and cancellation of proposed Turkey-Azerbaijan visa-free regime
hierarchical_section_title: Azerbaijan–Turkey relations / Recent relations / Failure and cancellation of proposed Turkey-Azerbaijan visa-free regime
caption_attribution_description: English: Ilham Aliyev and President of Turкey Abdullah Gül held a one-on-one meeting Azərbaycanca: İlham Əliyevin və Türкiyə Prezidenti Abdulla Gülün görüşü olmuşdur
context_page_description: Azerbaijan–Turkey relations have always been strong with the two often being described as "one nation with two states" by the ex-president of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev due to both being Turkic countries. Turkey was the first state to recognize Azerbaijan's independence in 1991 and has been a staunch supporter of Azerbaijan in its efforts to consolidate its independence, preserve its territorial integrity and realize its economic potential arising from the rich natural resources of the Caspian Sea. The two countries share an 11-kilometer border, with the Aras River separating Turkey from the Nakhchivan exclave of Azerbaijan.
context_section_description: Azerbaijan agreed to a visa-free regime with Turkey while Iran also demanded the same visa-free regime with Azerbaijan. Iran had threatened to cut off the critical supply line between Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic if Azerbaijan lifted visa requirements for Turkish citizens but not extend the same privilege to Iranian citizens. According to Azerbaijani diplomats, a visa-free travel regime proposed by Turkey in 2009 had fallen victim to Iranian pressure on Azerbaijan, prompting the last minute cancellation of the deal between Baku and Ankara. Azerbaijani diplomats also said the national interests of Azerbaijan did not allow for an open-border policy with Iran since political instability in Iran may trigger a huge influx of Iranian ethnic Azeris refugees to Azerbaijan and did not want the proposed Turkey-Azerbaijan Visa Free Regime to be reciprocal with Iran as well. Azerbaijan lifted visa requirements for Turkish citizens from 1 September 2019.
caption: Turkish President Abdullah Gül meet with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Baku, 16 August 2010
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