Xinhua, China
Dec 26 2009

No stability in Caucasus unless occupation over Azeri territory ended: FM

2009-12-26 06:14:41 Print

ANKARA, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) — Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Elmar
Mammadyarov said Friday that prospects of stability and security in
the Caucasus looked dim unless Armenian occupation over part of Azeri
soil ended.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Turkish counterpart
Ahmet Davutoglu in the Turkish capital of Ankara, Mammadyarov said,
"The biggest problem for Azerbaijan in the region is the Upper
Karabakh, which is under Armenian invasion and the situation of the
displaced people."

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu(R) meets with visiting Azeri
Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov in Ankara, Dec. 25,
2009.(Xinhua/Anatolia News Agency)
Photo Gallery>>>

"We cannot speak of stability and security in a setting where 20
percent of Azeri territory is under occupation," said Mammadyarov who
is visiting in Ankara.

The Upper Karabakh region has been under Armenian occupation since
a 1994 ceasefire which followed a six-year war between Azerbaijan and
Armenia. The region is internationally recognized as part of
Azerbaijan.

Mammadyarov said Friday’s talks with Davutoglu discussed in detail
efforts to maintain stability in the region, adding that Azerbaijan
attached great importance to peace in the Caucasus.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu(R) speaks to media with
visiting Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov in Ankara, Dec. 25,
2009.(Xinhua/Anatolia News Agency)
Photo Gallery>>>

For his part, Davutoglu said that they considered Caucasus would
reach peace soon, and everyone should fulfill his task not to miss the
opportunity.

"We fully support the steps which have been taken for a solution
to Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict," he said.

"We think that normalization of Azerbaijani-Armenian relations as
well as Turkish-Armenian relations will constitute an important ground
for regional prosperity and stability," Davutoglu said.

In regard to Caucasus, Davutoglu said, "we think that peace will
be secured in Caucasus soon. Everyone should do what is required for
solution of problems."

There is a full cooperation between Turkey and Azerbaijan
regarding the matter, he said.

Davutoglu said, "we will not let anyone ruin relations between the
two countries and we will not let anyone set our countries against
each other."

In October this year, Turkey and Armenia agreed to open borders
two months after the protocols entered into force. The protocols are
yet to be ratified by the two countries’ parliaments.

The two sides have no diplomatic or economic ties since Armenia
declared its independence in 1991. Turkey closed its border with
Armenia in 1993 to support Azerbaijan during its conflict with Armenia
over the Upper Karabakh region.

Editor: Mu Xuequan