TURKEY, AZERBAIJAN TO FORM STRATEGIC COOPERATION COUNCIL

WorldBulletin.net
May 18 2010
Turkey

Turkey’s prime minister and Azerbaijan’s president decided on Monday
that their countries shall set up a high-level strategic cooperation
council.

Turkey’s prime minister and Azerbaijan’s president decided on Monday
that their countries shall set up a high-level strategic cooperation
council.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that fruitful
talks had been held as part of his visit to the Azerbaijani capital
of Baku today.

Pointing to Aliyev’s upcoming visit to Turkey in June, Erdogan said
the two countries’ officials would continue to pay visits and hold
talks on political, military, commercial, economic and cultural issues
in a determined way.

Commenting on the content of his meeting with Aliyev, Erdogan said,
"One of the most important steps we have taken during today’s
gathering is the decision we have taken to set up a High-Level
Strategic Cooperation Council between our countries".

Erdogan said that establishment of such a council would contribute
to the future of the relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Noting that Aliyev had also informed him on the Karabakh issue during
their talks, Erdogan said Azerbaijan had always maintained its positive
stance on such matter.

"Azerbaijan has reacted positively to the Minsk Group’s latest
proposal, although Armenia has not replied to it yet. This shows
Azerbaijan’s positive stance on the matter," the Turkish prime
minister said.

Noting that Karabakh issue had been discussed during Russian President
Dmitry Medvedev’s recent visit to Turkey as well, Erdogan said Turkey
would carry on with its sensitivity on the matter.