Parliamentary diplomacy in Türkiye-Azerbaijan relations: an analysis of the 27th term friendship group activities

Abstract

The historical and cultural bonds between Türkiye and Azerbaijan, framed by the principle of “one nation, two states,” have gained a structured dimension through parliamentary diplomacy. This study reveals the activities of the Türkiye-Azerbaijan Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group during the 27th Legislative Term of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM). In this study, the activities of the Friendship Group are systematically analyzed by utilizing the Official Gazette of the Republic of Türkiye, TBMM publications, the official TBMM website, review and research works, as well as news and institutional websites. The research evaluates these initiatives within the framework of parliamentary diplomacy, providing an analytical assessment of their functional role in establishing regional legitimacy, strengthening institutional capacity, and facilitating bilateral cooperation, particularly during times of crisis. The findings suggest that the Friendship Group’s activities during this period not only reinforced strategic partnerships but also served as an effective soft-power mechanism that harmonized regional political interests and constructed a shared regional discourse through active media engagement. Ultimately, this research demonstrates the capacity of parliamentary friendship groups to institutionalize bilateral relations and contributes original insights to the literature on parliamentary diplomacy in the context of Türkiye-Azerbaijan relations.