PRESIDENT GUL ON HIS VISITS TO AZERBAIJAN

Anatolia News Agency
Sept 11 2008
Turkey

BAKU/ANKARA (A.A) -11.09.2008 -Turkish President Abdullah Gul said
that he observed the same honest and sincere desire for a solution
both in Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Gul told reporters aboard the plane on his way back from Azerbaijan
that the issue of Upper Karabakh [Nagornyy Karabakh] and recent
developments in the Caucasus were high on agenda of his meeting with
President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan.

"In Azerbaijan I saw the same frank, honest and sincere desire
for a solution and respect to opponent that I observed in Armenia
earlier. There is a significant opportunity to resolve a long-standing
problem. We need to seize this opportunity. Also, everyone is aware
that if a solution is reached, it paves the way for cooperation in
the region," he said.

Gul said that Armenia had the will to withdraw from the occupied
Azerbaijani territories in case of a final agreement between the
two countries.

"My talks with Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents revealed the
need for exchange of views between the two countries on bilateral,
regional and international developments. Turkey and Azerbaijan have
always advocated that the regional problems should be resolved through
peaceful and diplomatic ways," he said.

Gul said that Azerbaijani authorities welcomed his talks in Armenia.

Asked whether a tripartite summit among the presidents of Turkey,
Azerbaijan and Armenia would take place during the United Nations
General Assembly meetings, Gul said that there was still not a plan
for such a tripartite meeting.