  Gul: stability and welfare in South Caucasus among the priorities of Turkish foreign policy August 17, 2010 - 10:51 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - 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.”
   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.  Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Topic Latest news Erdogan wants “realistic road map” for relations with Armenia  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for a “new realistic road map” for relations with Armenia.Armenia-Azerbaijan: Experts launch work on determining coordinates Expert groups from the countries started the process of determining the coordinates based on geodetic measurements.Yerevan says did not expect CSTO in peacekeeping role Pashinyan has declared that the CSTO would be expected to come to the Armenia-Azerbaijan border as an ally of ArmeniaHenrikh Mkhitaryan wins Serie A title with Inter Inter Milan midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan admits that the team have long been imagining clinching Serie A against AC Milan. |
