TURKEY’S TOP GENERAL MEETS AZERBAIJANI OFFICIALS

Nov 7 2008
Turkey

Turkey’s top general Basbug said that Turkey favored settlement of
the dispute within the framework of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity
and international law.

Turkey’s top general met on Thursday Azerbaijani minister of defense
and parliament speaker in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku, where he
is paying a formal visit.

Gen. Ilker Basbug, the chief of General Staff of Turkey, had talks
with Azerbaijani Minister of Defense Safar Abiyev and Parliament
Speaker Oktay Asadov.

During their meeting, Abiyev said that recent development in the
region made improving bilateral relations and security endeavors
more necessary.

Abiyev also said that Azerbaijan would make use of all opportunities
to ensure its own territorial integrity if peace talks regarding
Upper Karabakh dispute failed.

Basbug said that Turkey favored settlement of the dispute within the
framework of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and international law.

Turkey would always be beside Azerbaijan, Basbug also said.