TURKEY WELCOMES RUSSIAN MOVE ON UPPER KARABAKH ISSUE

Nov 6 2008
Turkey

Turkey on Wednesday welcomed a joint statement signed by heads of
state of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia who convened on November 2
to find a solution on Upper Karabakh problem.

According to a statement released by Turkish Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, Turkey welcomed the joint statement which said the parties
targeted a solution through direct dialogue based on international
law. The parties also agreed to continue work, including during
further contacts on a high level.

Turkish MFA statement said Turkey from the very beginning supported
a peaceful solution to the Upper Karabakh problem through dialogue
that would be accepted by both parties.

The statement said Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform
suggestion of Turkey, developed after clashes in Georgia in August,
targeted formation of conditions necessary to resolve all conflicts
through dialogue.

The statement said Turkey, which is at the same time a member of OSCE
Minsk Group, will continue to work with the related parties for the
solution of Upper Karabakh problem, which poses an important threat
to security and stability of the region.

"Turkey will also continue to support works and endeavors of the OSCE
Minsk Group," the statement added.