The Shusha Agreement between Turkey and Azerbaijan, signed on June 15, is considered as a new bilateral road map, involving political and economic cooperation (including in energy, media, diaspora relations, trade and other spheres), but especially in relation to defense and bilateral military assistance.
The official goal of the agreement is the unification and prosperity of the Turkic world. In reality, the pan-Turkism policy is being implemented. The document testifies to the further advancement of Turkey in the Caucasus, as well as to the fact that Azerbaijan is a conductor of Turkish interests.
The reference to the Kars Agreement, signed in 1921, is noteworthy. It establishes the modern border between the three republics of the South Caucasus and the Republic of Turkey.
The Shusha Declaration sets out joint efforts to reorganize and modernize the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan, as well as prescribes joint actions in the event of aggression by a third party against the independence or sovereignty of any of the parties. Another important point is the obligation to hold regular joint meetings of the security councils of the two countries.
The process of reforming the Azerbaijani army, which Aliyev announced during the war last fall, is beginning. Azerbaijan is striving to modernize its armed forces exactly on the model of the Turkish army.
The Shusha Declaration does not mention a permanent foreign military facility on Azerbaijani land (Turkish or otherwise), President Erdogan, in particular, stated that "this issue may become a subject of discussion".
