World · Middle East · 1 hr ago
Azerbaijan’s president skips summit in Turkey amid strains between allies
Azerbaijan’s president skipped a summit hosted by Turkey in Ankara on Friday, while Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov attended in his place.
The two countries are close allies with deep cultural and ethnic ties, and often describe themselves as “one nation, two states.”
Tensions have grown over criticism of Azerbaijan’s school rules, which restrict girls and teachers from wearing Islamic coverings in schools.
Disagreements over Azerbaijan’s close ties with Israel have added to the strain.
Azerbaijan has warned against interference in its affairs, and it barred more than 30 Turkish nationals from entering the country after they criticized the rules.
The missed summit has heightened concern about a rift that could affect Turkey’s influence in the region and its efforts to normalize relations with Armenia.
Turkey says progress in reconciliation between Azerbaijan and Armenia is linked to steps such as reopening Turkey’s border with Armenia; no further action was announced at the summit.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev skipped a summit of Turkic states in Ankara on Friday, while Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov represented Azerbaijan.
His absence came amid growing strain between Azerbaijan and Turkey over criticism of Baku’s school headscarf restrictions and Azerbaijan’s ties with Israel.
Azerbaijani media attributed Aliyev’s absence to previously scheduled engagements, including events at the FIFA U-15 World Cup in Baku.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had personally invited Aliyev and called for unity in his summit speech.
The two countries have close defence and energy ties and describe their relationship as “two states, one nation.”
- Who
- Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev skipped the summit; Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov represented Azerbaijan.
- What
- Aliyev did not attend the Organization of Turkic States summit hosted by Turkey.
- When
- Friday, October 30, 2026.
- Where
- Ankara, Turkey.
- Why
- Azerbaijani media cited previously planned engagements and a tight work schedule. The absence came amid tensions over criticism of Azerbaijan’s school headscarf restrictions and its ties with Israel.
Azerbaijani officials
Turkish critics of Azerbaijan’s policies
Interference
Azerbaijani officials
Azerbaijani officials objected to criticism of Baku’s school headscarf rules as interference in the country’s internal affairs.
Turkish critics of Azerbaijan’s policies
Turkish social media users and some ruling-party members criticized the restrictions on wearing Islamic coverings in schools.
Ties with Israel
Azerbaijani officials
Azerbaijan has strong ties with Israel.
Turkish critics of Azerbaijan’s policies
Many in Turkey have questioned Azerbaijan’s close ties with Israel, while Turkey is a vocal critic of Israel’s military actions.
Azerbaijan banned girls and teachers from wearing Islamic covering in schools, drawing criticism in Turkey.
Azerbaijan declared 31 Turkish nationals persona non grata over social media posts criticizing Baku.
Erdogan called Aliyev to invite him personally to the summit and removed adviser Oktay Saral after his public criticism of the headscarf decision.
Aliyev skipped the summit in Ankara, where Bayramov represented Azerbaijan.
- Summit
- Organization of Turkic States meeting in Ankara
- Azerbaijani president
- Ilham Aliyev did not attend
- Azerbaijan’s representative
- Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov
- Turkish president
- Recep Tayyip Erdogan personally invited Aliyev
- People declared persona non grata
- 31 Turkish nationals
- Azerbaijan’s explanation
- Previously planned events and a tight work schedule
3 sources
What people are saying
There is no room for division, discord or dispute in the family portrait of the Turkic world
The hijab dispute is a symptom of a deeper rift
For Azerbaijanis, the hostility is especially painful because it comes from a country regarded as a close ally
can equally be understood as a diplomatic signal that even the closest partnerships require mutual respect