Turkish Defense Minister confirms support to Baku in Karabakh settlement

October 13, 2011 - 19:56 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Karabakh issue poses great obstacle to the security, stability and development of the region, Turkey’s Defense Minister said.

According to Ismet Yilmaz, the settlement of the conflict on the basis of international law and decisions of the international organizations will ensure peace in the region.

“One of Turkey’s main goals is a sustainable peace in the region and promotion of trust between the people. Turkey’s position on peaceful settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict remains active, with Ankara rendering every diplomatic and political support to Azerbaijan in the international organizations. Turkey takes every effort to support Azerbaijan on Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Our President and Prime Minister also stated it during their visits. We closely watch the activity of the OSCE Minsk Group. We hope that the activity of the co-chairing countries - US, France and Russia - will be intensified in the near future. Closely following the peace process and observing time limits is crucial to both Azerbaijan and Armenia, as they’re the only ones to put an end to the conflict,” APA quoted the Minister as saying.

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out as result of the ethnic cleansing launched by the Azeri authorities in the final years of the Soviet Union. The Karabakh War was fought from 1991 (when the Nagorno Karabakh Republic was proclaimed) to 1994 (when a ceasefire was sealed by Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan). Most of Nagorno Karabakh and a security zone consisting of 7 regions are now under control of NKR defense army. Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding peace talks mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group up till now.