Former Turkish President Demirel heads to Baku Forum

Former Turkish President Suleyman Demirel travelled to Baku on Oct. 30 for a three-day visit at the invitation of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Demirel departed from Ankara on board of a private plane allocated by Aliyev, his aides told the Hurriyet Daily News. While in Baku, the former president will deliver a keynote speech at the 3rd Baku International Humanitarian Forum on Nov. 1. Demirel had also attended the first such forum in 2011. According to the Azerbaijan Press Agency (APA), officials, well-known scientists, culture figures, and Nobel Prize winners from more than 100 countries are expected to attend the forum. Demirel hasn't often attended social gatherings since his spouse, Nazmiye Demirel, with whom he was married for 65 years, passed away in May. When reminded that he seemed to be very tired during the funeral, his doctors told the Hurriyet Daily News that his health was good, and he was therefore able to travel to Baku. In Baku, Demirel is expected to visit the cemetery where Turkish soldiers who died for Azerbaijan's independence in 1918 are buried, as well as the tomb of the late President Heydar Aliyev, his aides said.