Agence France Presse
Dec 26 2009
Peace in Caucasus ‘very close’: Turkish minister
Source: Agence France-Presse (AFP)
Date: 25 Dec 2009
ANKARA, Dec 25, 2009 (AFP) – Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu
voiced optimism Friday that "peace is very close" in intertwined rows
between his country, Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Speaking after talks with Azeri counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov,
Davutoglu hailed revived efforts to resolve the Nagorny Karabakh
conflict between Baku and Yerevan, seen as key to also normalising
Turkish-Armenian ties.
"Our faith is growing that peace is very close in the Caucasus," he
told reporters. "Everybody should do their best not to squander this
opportunity."
Resolving the Nagorno Karabakh conflict "will lay an important ground
for normalising both Azeri-Armenian and Turkish-Armenian relations,"
he said.
In October, Turkey signed deals to normalise ties with arch-foe
Armenia, but has signalled the accords will not be put for
ratification in parliament unless Yereven’s ties with Baku improved.
Turkey and Azerbaijan are close allies.
Azerbaijan is concerned that Turkish-Armenian fence-mending will
lessen pressure on Yerevan to compromise on Nagorno Karabakh.
Earlier this month, US and Russian diplomats involved in mediation
efforts between Azerbaijan and Armenia reported progress in talks to
resolve the issue.
The conflict dates from the early 1990s when ethnic Armenian forces
backed by Yerevan seized the Nagorny Karabakh region and seven
surrounding districts from Azerbaijan in a war that claimed an
estimated 30,000 lives.
In a show of solidarity with Azerbaijan, Turkey closed its border with
Armenia, dealing a heavy economic blow on the impoverished nation.
The move added to century-old Turkish-Armenian hostility over claims
that Ottoman Turks committed genocide against their Armenian subjects
during World War I.
Azerbaijan has slammed the Turkish-Armenian deals, which call for
establishing diplomatic ties and re-opening the border between the two
neighbours.
The Turkish and Azeri foreign ministers both played down the chill
between their countries Friday.
"We will never let dissent be sowed between Turkey and Azerbaijan…
If we have disagreements we know how to discuss and settle them,"
Davutoglu said.
Armenia has threatened to walk away from the deals with Turkey if
Ankara continues to link their ratification to the Nagorny Karabakh
dispute.
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