The official opening ceremony of the 'Azerbaijan' residential complex, constructed by Azerbaijan in the Turkish city of Kahramanmaraş, was held on Thursday and was attended by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The complex was built after the devastating earthquake of the 6 February 2023. Azerbaijan sent more than a thousand personnel to help with rescue efforts as well as doctors, to the affected regions.
A special Azerbaijan quarter was built to show the strong brotherhood between the two nations.
The ceremony began with the national anthems of both countries, followed by the screening of a video dedicated to the newly built neighbourhood.
In his address, President Ilham Aliyev emphasized that the devastating earthquake was met with deep sorrow by the Azerbaijani people. He highlighted that Azerbaijan responded swiftly from the very first hours of the disaster:
“The people of Azerbaijan accepted this tragedy as their own. Nearly 1,000 personnel — rescuers, volunteers, and medical professionals — were immediately dispatched to the earthquake-affected regions. 53 individuals were rescued from the rubble, and medical aid was provided to over 3,200 people.”
President Ilham Aliyev said “The people of Azerbaijan felt this tragedy as their own”
President Aliyev noted that the opening of the 'Azerbaijan' neighborhood was another demonstration of the strong and enduring friendship and brotherhood between Azerbaijan and Türkiye.
President Erdoğan: “This neighborhood has become a symbol of our friendship”
President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, expressed appreciation for the support provided by the Azerbaijani government and people, extending special thanks to President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva:
“The heartfelt support and aid from Can (Dear) Azerbaijan will never be forgotten. This neighborhood has become a true symbol of our friendship. It is not just about houses — a school, kindergarten, and cultural centre have also been built here.”
President Erdoğan also stated that the reconstruction efforts in the earthquake-hit areas are progressing rapidly. He says construction is currently underway for 2,778 residential units, shops, and offices, with plans to complete the remaining projects by the end of the year.
Foundation laid, keys handed over, ribbon cut
As part of the event, Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan laid the foundation stone — virtually — for a future cultural centre in the 'Azerbaijan' neighbourhood. Keys to newly completed apartments were handed over to several families, and a symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony was held.
The presidents also toured the residential complex and inspected the construction. They visited the Heydar Aliyev Primary School and the adjacent kindergarten. Students performed the patriotic song “Çırpınırdı Qara Dəniz” (“The Black Sea Was Stirring”), which was met with great interest by the presidents.
President Aliyev and President Erdoğan also distributed report cards to fourth-grade graduates and gifted them school backpacks.
The 'Azerbaijan' neighbourhood
The construction of the 'Azerbaijan' neighbourhood was carried out by the State Housing Development Agency of Azerbaijan (MIDA). Spanning an area of 27.6 hectares, the complex includes 68 buildings with a total of 1,194 apartments, the Heydar Aliyev Primary School, a kindergarten, a cultural centre, and 1,595 commercial and non-residential units.
The school and kindergarten were officially inaugurated in September 2024. According to the master plan, construction of four blocks — numbered 7, 8, 11, and 12 — has already been completed. These blocks contain 26 buildings, offering 456 apartments and 328 commercial and service units.
An Historic Symbol of Brotherhood
This inauguration ceremony, attended by the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Türkiye, stands as a powerful symbol of unbreakable friendship, mutual support, and regional solidarity between the two brotherly nations. It is an historic example of cooperation and unity that continues to deepen with each new milestone.
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