Interfax, Russia
Sept 11 2008

Turkish president favors peaceful settlement in Karabakh

BAKU Sept 11

Turkish President Abdullah Gul said he hopes for the settlement of the
problem of Karabakh through dialogue and understanding between
Azerbaijan and Armenia.

"I hope that the Armenian-Azeri problem will be resolved through
dialogue. The occupied territories of Azerbaijan must be indisputably
freed," he said at a joint briefing with Azeri President Ilham Aliyev
after their meeting in Baku.

He stressed the importance of a similar settlement of all frozen
conflicts. "We should be making friends, not foes," he said.

Gul said he was satisfied with his talks with his Azeri counterpart
noting that their meeting had been marked by an all-round exchange of
opinions related to his recent visit to Armenia.

"We had a very useful meeting. Along with political issues the agenda
of Turkish-Azeri cooperation was discussed. Turkey has always been and
remains on the side of Azerbaijan," Gul said.

"During the meeting we also discussed the latest developments in the
Caucasus," he said.