AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Jan 14 2008

PEACE AND STABILITY IN SOUTH CAUCASUS IS IMPORTANT DIRECTION OF
TURKEY’S FOREIGN POLICY, PRESIDENT ABDULLAH GUL

During his visit to the United States, Turkish President Abdullah Gul
said in his address at Woodrow Wilson International Center for
Scholars that peace and stability in South Caucasus is important
direction of Turkey’s foreign policy.
Turkish President also said that they have a close diplomatic
dialogue in this question with the United States, strategic partner
of Turkey.
Gul stressed that his country would continue to support Azerbaijan
and Georgia to develop democracy. `Turkey is interested in rapid
economic development and guaranteeing the territorial integrity of
these countries. Therefore, strengthening of regional cooperation is
very important’, Gul underscored.
He pointed out that Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil, Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas
pipelines and Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway projects are key steps
towards progress and stability in region.
As to Armenia, Mr. Gul said that this country could join regional
cooperation and have normal relations with Turkey only after
settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.