Academic Journal of History and Idea

Abstract

The importance of the role of political leaders in the development of Azerbaijan-Turkiye relations is clearly seen when the period after 1969, when the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev came to power in Azerbaijan, is examined. In this article, in the bipolar system, in which the Soviet Union and the United States are the leaders, it is not uncommon for two states at different poles, namely Turkiye and Azerbaijan, to establish and develop relations in many fields. Among the reasons for this are the developments in the international system, as well as the Soviet Union's desire to attract Turkiye to its side again, and Haydar Aliyev, who correctly evaluated this request, in line with the aim of re-establishing and developing Turkiye-Azerbaijan relations. Having risen from the leadership of Azerbaijan to the leader of the Soviet Union in 1982, Haydar Aliyev, whether in the years he ruled Azerbaijan or when he was a member of the "Political Bureau" and Deputy Prime Minister of the Soviet Union in Moscow, was the reason why he so desired the development of Azerbaijan-Turkey relations, which was in the process of disintegration. Azerbaijan, which will gain its next independence from the Soviet Union, wanted to bring its relations with Turkiye to a certain level.In the research, archival documents, scientific works and periodicals of the period were examined, and the level of development of the relations between the two states in this field was evaluated in the light of scientific data. One of the main conclusions reached as a result of the research is that the decisive role of the leader in international relations is revealed in the face of the Great Leader Haydar Aliyev and in the context of Turkiye-Azerbaijan relations. As a political leader, Heydar Aliyev, without being accused of nationalism, ensured the establishment and development of Turkiye-Azerbaijan relations in a way that would gain the reputation of Moscow, and made special efforts in this direction.