AKSU: AZERBAIJAN’S TERRITORIES REMAINING UNDER OCCUPATION POSES GREAT OBSTACLE TO STABILITY IN THE REGION

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
April 19 2006

Turkey’s Interior Minister Abdulkadir Aksu today started his visit
to Azerbaijan at the invitation of his Azerbaijani counterpart,
Colonel-General Ramil Usubov (APA).

Mr.Aksu visited the tomb of the then President Heydar Aliyev in the
Honorary Alley, Martyr’s Alley and the Alley of Turkish martyrs.

Following that, the two Interior Ministers had talks in the Interior
Ministry. Mr.Usubov said that Azerbaijan-Turkey relations are
developing in all spheres. The Azerbaijani Minister noted that the
relations between the Interior Ministries of the two countries were
established in 1992 and the ties are strengthening.

“These relationships should be further strengthened. We should unite
our efforts to fight against transnational organized crimes such
as terrorism, illegal arms and drug traffic, trafficking in human
beings, illegal migration, which poses a serious threat to stability,”
Usubov underlined.

The Minister also said that the meeting of Turkish, Azerbaijani and
Georgian Interior Ministers is intended to be held soon.

Turkish Minister said that this visit will promote deepening of the
cooperation relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey. Stressing the
importance of collaborating to fight transnational crimes, the visitor
proposed to conduct exchange of information between Azerbaijan and
Turkey in this field.

“Nagorno Garabagh or in general, 20 percent of Azerbaijan’s territories
remaining under occupation is unacceptable. This factor poses a great
obstacle to ensure stability in the region,” Mr.Aksu underlined.

The Ministers signed a document on cooperation between bodies of
interior affairs of Turkey and Azerbaijan.