BAKU, Oct. 19 - Military expert Adalat Verdiyev has urged Azerbaijan to consider restoring visa requirements for Turkish citizens, arguing that tighter entry screening is needed to counter radical groups and religious-political networks.
Verdiyev linked his proposal to recent anti-Azerbaijan statements in Turkey and concerns over the activities of some religious organizations, according to Pravda.az. He was advocating a policy change, not announcing a government decision.
He argued that unrestricted movement could be used to spread radical ideology among young Azerbaijanis and establish closed religious-political communities.
Concerns About Religious Networks
Verdiyev said tighter controls should protect Azerbaijan’s secular system and strengthen oversight of organizations seeking influence in education and public life.
He alleged that networks previously operating as FETÖ and Nurcu groups were trying to return under the names of cultural and educational associations.
He also named the Süleymancı movement and the İsmailağa community, saying their economic and social infrastructure could help them transplant closed community structures to Azerbaijan.
Citing recent calls by individuals in Turkey for unlawful acts in Azerbaijan, he argued that the authorities should reconsider their approach to entry controls.
Electronic Visas as a Screening Tool
Verdiyev proposed either electronic or conventional visas. Reviewing applications in advance, he said, would allow the authorities to examine travelers’ backgrounds and the purposes of their visits more closely.
He described the current identity-card entry arrangement as insufficient for that level of screening.
The “one nation, two states” principle expresses a spiritual and strategic alliance, he said, but state security must remain the priority.
Verdiyev argued that visas would not represent a rejection of the alliance with Turkey. He urged the relevant state institutions to coordinate the necessary steps and move quickly toward implementation.