On May 3-5, 2018, İlker Başbuğ, the 26th Chief of the General Staff of Turkey, visited Khazar University on the occasion of the 100^th anniversary of the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic and the Azerbaijani Army.

On May 3, İlker Başbuğ delivered a lecture entitled “National policy: Turkey-Azerbaijan Brotherhood” at “Dunya” school. On the same day, İlker Başbuğ visited Icheri Sheher (Old City) and Palace of the Shirvanshahs with the leadership and staff members of Khazar University.

On May 4, İlker Başbuğ, together with associates of Khazar University, visited Alley of Honor to pay tribute to the memories of Heydar Aliyev, National Leader and Abulfaz Elchibey, the second President of the Republic of Azerbaijan as well as Zarifa Aliyeva, a prominent ophthalmologist. Then, İlker Başbuğ, together with associates of Khazar University, paid a visit to Martyrs' Alley and laid a wreath at the monument erected in memory of Martyrs. İlker Başbuğ was informed about Martyrs of 20 January tragedy. Moreover, İlker Başbuğ visited “Turkish Martyrdom” where Martyrs of Islamic Army of the Caucasus are buried, and laid a wreath at the memorial. Memory photos were taken.

On the same day, in the 67^th meeting of “Science and Art Assembly” at Khazar University, İlker Başbuğ delivered a report entitled “The Middle East and Turkey”, and answered the participants’ questions. In the meetings held both at “Dunya” school and Khazar University, Prof. Hamlet Isakhanli, the founder of Khazar University, and Chairman of its Board of Directors and Trustees, talked about the relationship between Azerbaijan and Turkey, and mentioned cooperation of Khazar University with Turkish Universities. On behalf of Khazar University, Prof. Hamlet Isakhanli presented gifts to İlker Başbuğ. Both ceremonies held at Khazar University were covered by public and private TV channels.

On May 5, İlker Başbuğ visited the Museum of Miniature Books, and on request of the founder and director, Zarifa Salahova, inscribed his sincere comments in the review book of the museum.

Assoc. Prof. Elza Samadova, Dean of the School of Education, and associates of Turkish Embassy accompanied İlker Başbuğ in all ceremonies. İlker Başbuğ is an author of the following books: "The End of Terrorist Organizations" (2011), "Ataturk, the Greatest Leader of 20th Century" (2012), "Facts Against Accusations" (2013), "What kind of Turkey" (2015), "Accusations of Armenians and Facts"(2015), "Cyprus, Forgotten Island" (2016), "Before and After July 15" (2016), "Facing Problems" (2017), and "Struggle of Ottoman Powers against the Republic" (2018). İlker Başbuğ is a laureate of “İsmet Küntay-En İyi Oyun Yazarı” for his play "Miracle" which is dedicated to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. İlker Başbuğ was the Chief of the General Staff of Turkey from 2008 to 2010. He took retirement on August 30, 2010.