Aliyev Jr. seeks Turkey’s support

It is Aliyev’s first visit to Turkey since he was named premier last month in a move seen by the opposition as an attempt by the ailing 80-year-old president Haydar Aliyev to hand over power to his son in the Oct. 15 presidential elections. Both Aliyevs are candidates in those elections.

Aliyev, whose country yearns to take part in the western world, recently visited the United States signalled that the course of the nation drawn by his father won’t change if he comes to power as a result of the elections.

The elder Aliyev was taken to the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio, last month after being hospitalized in Turkey for nearly a month for heart and kidney problems. It is not clear whether he can return to the country ahead of the Oct. 15 voting.

Ilham Aliyev seeked support from Turkish leaders on Monday in a one-day working trip. Turkey, which enjoys close ties with the elder Aliyev attaches importance to the stability in the oil-rich country.

The younger Aliyev met with Turkey’s President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul. The talks were reportedly focused mainly on the elections and Turkish-Azeri relations.

Aliyev’s meeting with Sezer and Erdogan is support for the stability of the Caspian Sea nation, and not support for Aliyev himself says diplomatic circles in Ankara.

Twelve candidates will run in next month’s elections, including Haydar Aliyev and his son Ilham.

"Turkey’s clear support for Aliyev increase his votes by twenty percent," says Sinan Ogan, a Caucasus Region specialist from the Center for Eurasian Studies.

"Until now, Turkey has kept an equal distance from all candidates," added Ogan.

Ogan stated the system that was established by elder Aliyev in Azerbaijan during the last ten years was so very important for Turkey, Turkey does not want turbulence in the oil-rich country.

The strategic Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline project was also high on the agenda during the talks. Turkish Energy Minister Hilmi Guler took part in Aliyev’s talks with the Turkish president and foreign minister.

After Aliyev, Ankara will also host Azerbaijan Foreign Minister Vilayet Guliyev on Thursday who will hold talks with Turkish officials for two days.