The New Anatolian, Turkey
July 1 2005
Aliyev repeats Azerbaijan’s support for TRNC
BAKU – We’re ready to do whatever we can concerning the Cyprus issue,
said Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev yesterday, repeating
Azerbaijan’s full support for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
(TRNC).
Aliyev made the remarks at a joint press conference with Turkish
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan following their bilateral and
inter-delegations meetings at the Presidential Palace in Baku. Aliyev
and the visiting Erdogan also signed bilateral agreements concerning
technical cooperation, veterinary medicine, protecting copyrights,
and communications.
Aliev said that as well as bilateral relations between Turkey and
Azerbaijan, they also discussed regional and international issues and
that he thanked Erdogan for Turkey’s support for Baku in the dispute
with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh, an enclave within Azerbaijan
that’s been under the control of ethnic Armenian forces for more than
a decade. “The Nagorno-Karabakh dispute should be solved by
international law and over 1 million Turks have been exiled from
their homelands because of this dispute,” he added.
“We will continue our policy of support for Azerbaijan in all
international affairs and our approach fully coincides with the
position of Azerbaijan on this question,” Erdogan said.
Aliyev stated that the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline is one of
the greatest energy investments in the world and said that
Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum Natural Gas Project will contribute to the
development of the region and both states.
The Turkish port of Ceyhan is the terminus of an oil pipeline
beginning near Baku that is to go into service this year. Aliev said
that it will further solidify relations with Turkey and encourage
stability in the often-contentious Caucasus region.
“The project will strengthen the role and influence of Turkey in
Azerbaijan even more and in the future will serve our economic and
political positions,” Aliev said.
Erdogan: Azerbaijanis to invest in TRNC, charter flights to begin
Erdogan said that the policies of Turkey and Azerbaijan coincide
concerning the Cyprus issue and stated that Azerbaijani businessmen
will begin to invest in the TRNC. Azerbaijan will also start charter
flights between Baku and Lefkosa.
Aliev said that he’s ordered the commencement of charter flights, and
that Azeri companies will open offices in the TRNC.
Erdogan also called for an increase of trade with Azerbaijan, aiming
for an annual trade turnover of $1 billion compared with the current
$407 million.
‘Two states, single nation’ understanding will rule Turkish,
Azerbaijani relations
Erdogan said that the “two states, one nation” understanding will
govern Turkish-Azerbaijani relations and that the two states will do
their best to further develop their relations.
Erdogan, who arrived in the Azerbaijani capital Baku on Wednesday
evening, visited a park named in memory of Aliev’s father Haydar, the
longtime leader of Azerbaijan, and memorials to fallen Azerbaijani
soldiers.
Erdogan meets with Rasizade
Following his meeting with President Aliyev, Erdogan met with his
Azerbaijani counterpart Artur Rasizade at the Hyatt Park Hotel but
the meeting was held closed to press.
Erdogan also took part in the laying of the foundation stone of a new
Turkish Embassy.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress