Anatolia news agency, Turkey
Aug 29 2008
Turkey, Azerbaijan said agree on Caucasus peace initiative
Ankara, 29 August: Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said Friday
Turkey and Azerbaijan share same understanding on the "Caucasus
Stability and Cooperation Platform", an initiative that came up by
Turkey’s efforts.
"Turkey and Azerbaijan have similar approach towards the platform,"
Babacan said.
Babacan held a meeting with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar
Memmedyarov that lasted close to two hours in Turkish capital of
Ankara.
Following their meeting, the two foreign ministers held a joint press
conference.
"Our meeting today was important in exchanging views at a time when
important developments are taking place in the region," Babacan said.
"Relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan are ‘very special’. As former
Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev said, Turkey and Azerbaijan are
one nation with two states," Babacan stressed.
"The recent developments in the Caucasus are of interest not only to
the region, but the whole world. Such developments would have a global
impact. It is very natural for Turkey and Azerbaijan, two countries
with the same destiny, to hold comprehensive consultations in every
level at this critical period," Babacan said.
Reminding that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was in Baku
last Wednesday holding talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev,
Babacan said that it was in Baku that the two leaders decided for the
foreign ministers of both countries to hold consultations with each
other.
"Our meeting today came after Erdogan and Aliyev’s directives,"
Babacan noted.
We had a very comprehensive discussion with Memmedyarov today, Babacan
said.
We went over the recent developments in our region, Babacan said.
We exchanged opinions on the "Caucasus Stability and Cooperation
Platform", Babacan said.
We would continue discussions on this platform in the upcoming days,
Babacan underscored.
Pointing out that Turkey would host the foreign ministers of Georgia
and Russia very shortly, Babacan stressed that discussions on the
aforementioned platform would continue with these ministers.
"Turkey and Azerbaijan would continue to act with an understanding of
a common destiny and strategic partnership at all levels and in every
issue," Babacan said.
On his part, Memmedyarov said that Babacan and he discussed the
developments in Georgia, and regional issues, including the matter of
Upper Karabagh.
"Azerbaijan and Turkey are brotherly countries," Memmedyarov said.
Relations between the two countries are higher than being a strategic
partnership, Memmedyarov added.