AZERBAIJAN-ARMENIA GOOD RELATIONS IMPROVE ALSO TURKEY-ARMENIA TIES
Dec 1 2008
Turkey
FM Babacan defined the Upper Karabakh issue as an important problem.
The Turkish foreign minister commented on Turkish, Azerbaijani and
Armenian relations during his formal visit to the Azerbaijani capital
of Baku on Monday.
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ali Babacan expressed thought that
Azerbaijani-Armenian good relations would contribute to relations
between Turkey and Armenia.
"Good relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia and positive step
taken to solve relations will also better relations between Turkey and
Armenia," Babacan told a joint press conference with his Azerbaijani
counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov.
Babacan defined the Upper Karabakh issue as an important problem.
"Some of territories of Azerbaijan are under the occupation of Armenia,
which is an important problem that need to be solved," he said.
Babacan said that problems should be solved through diplomacy and
peaceful means.
"Our goal is not to leave a problem to upcoming generations, but to
leave a better and more prosperous Caucasus that lives in peace and
order," he said.
Babacan said that it was difficult to ensure real peace and stability
in the Caucasus as long as problems were not solved.
"A real welfare can be ensured after real peace and stability are
assured," he said.
Babacan hoped that diplomacy traffic would yield positive results.
On Turkish-Armenian relations, Babacan said Turkey would always stand
by Azerbaijan.
Also speaking in the press conference, Mammadyarov said that Babacan
and he agreed to continue talks on Turkey’s proposal to set up a
platform on stability and cooperation in the Caucasus.
Babacan met Azerbaijani Parliament Speaker Oktay Esadov and President
Ilham Aliyev. He is scheduled to also have a meeting with Prime
Minister Artur Rasizade.