Turkish FM talks Karabakh, EU membership, energy security

Turkish FM talks Karabakh, EU membership, energy security

PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that the South Caucasus, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea have always been of great importance for Turkey. "Unfortunately, there are lingering problems such as Nagorno Karabakh in this region," he said, Vestnik Kavkaza reports citing TASS.

"A peaceful solution to these problems within the framework of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity is a factor that serves not only the interests of the peoples of the region, but also the international community," Cavusoglu said. "Therefore, the international community, international organizations, the UN and the OSCE in particular, should redouble their efforts to resolve conflicts in the region. I would like to emphasize that a peaceful solution to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is one of the main priorities of the foreign policy of Turkey. We always closely follow the processes related to the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict," Cavusoglu said.

According to him, Turkey, as a member of the Minsk Group, always raises the issue of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict at multilateral platforms and during dialogues with third countries.

The diplomat also raised the topic of Turkey's membership in the EU, which, according to him, is a strategic objective of the country. "Democracy, human rights, rule of law, the laws and values of the EU are the main features of the reforms undertaken by Turkey. First of all, the EU is a kind of center for Turkey, where these values are intensively protected and developed in accordance with the law. The main goal of Turkey's efforts to join the EU is to achieve the highest standards in terms of these laws and values. After the expiration of discussions, the parties will make the final decision on Turkey's membership of the EU. One important feature for Turkey is to ensure the highest standards in every area, including the well-being of citizens," the Foreign Minister said.

He also spoke about Turkey's commitment to ensuring the energy security of Europe. "So for the past years Turkey has implemented very important strategic projects with Azerbaijan," Cavusoglu reminded.

"For example, the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, which allows Azerbaijani oil to be delivered to the world market, and the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum pipeline." Another project implemented with Azerbaijan is the TANAP project, which is considered to be a major in the Southern Gas Corridor. With the implementation of this project, Azerbaijani gas will occupy an important place in Europe," the Minister said. "At the same time, TANAP is a project aimed at the future. Turkmenistan will be able to deliver gas through this pipeline," Cavusoglu stressed.

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