Turkish President Abdullah Gul said establishing peace, stability and welfare in the South Caucasus is among the priorities of Turkish foreign policy, adding that Turkey actively contributes to establishing a comprehensive and sustainable peace in the former Soviet region, Today’s Zaman reported.

“Turkey closely monitors developments in the South Caucasus and actively contributes to building comprehensive and sustainable peace in the region. We will stress the importance Turkey attaches to stability, welfare and cooperation in the region during our meetings in Azerbaijan,” Gul told reporters ahead of his two-day visit to Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku, on Monday.

Gul also spoke at a joint press conference with his Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Baku later on Monday, where he said Turkey’s efforts for the establishment of comprehensive peace in the South Caucasus will continue and added that Turkey “silently yet decisively” undertakes serious works to solve frozen conflicts in the region.

Arguing that frozen conflicts could suddenly become a regional affair, the Turkish President said bold efforts need to be taken to solve long frozen conflicts.

“To resolve the Karabakh conflict meeting and discussions are needed,” 1news.az quoted him as saying.

For his part, Aliyev said the Karabakh process entered its final stage and in case the proposals of the OSCE Minsk Group are accepted, the conflict can be resolved peacefully.

As to final status of the Nagorno Karabakh, he said that Azerbaijan “will never agree to grant Karabakh any status beyond its borders.”