Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
April 11 2010

Turkey wants OSCE Minsk Group to be more active to ensure peace in the region

11.04.2010 22:34
Turkey wants OSCE Minsk Group to be more active to ensure peace and
tranqulity in the region, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
said at a press conference before flying to Washington, Cihan agency
reported.

"We have discussed this topic with Obama, Medvedev and Sarkozy. In
America, we’ll meet again and evaluate the issue during bilateral
meetings," Erdogan said.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994.

The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. –
are currently holding the peace negotiations.

According to Erdogan, the main theme of his talks with Obama will be
issues related to Armenia. Turkish Prime Minister said has sent his
personal representative to Azerbaijan and Armenia to, who told his
message to President Ilham Aliyev and Serzh Sargsyan.

"In the U.S. we will have the opportunity to evaluate our efforts" –
the prime minister said.