Azernews.Az

Turkey's new president Abdullah Gul has said Azerbaijan could advance Ankara's efforts in its bid to fight terrorists in northern Iraq.
"We need to gain every country's assistance in this, and Azerbaijan is one of them. Certainly, we want Azerbaijan to stand by us. Baku has always supported Ankara in its anti-terror efforts, and we would like for it to stay that way," Gul said.
Turkey blames Kurdish rebel group PKK for the killings of over 30,000 people. Dozens of soldiers and civilians have been killed in recent weeks by the guerillas in attacks from mountain hideouts near the border. Turkey has not ruled out diplomacy as a way to end stand-off but threatened to send forces into northern Iraq. The Turkish parliament has recently authorized the country's military to launch a cross-border attack on the militants at any time.
In an interview before his trip to the country with an Azerbaijani delegation of reporters headed by the editor-in-chief of AzerNEWS newspaper, Fazil Abbasov, Gul said he was pleased to pay his first foreign visit to Baku.
"For the first time, I will hold meetings outside Azerbaijan's capital, visit the city of Ganja alongside Turkish journalists and meet with refugees," he said.
Gul praised high-level relations among Turkic states but cited the need for their further expansion. He pointed to the importance of close ties between companies and Diaspora organizations of the two countries.
The Turkish leader said it was pivotal to put forth a common stance against Armenia, focusing on struggle not just within Turkey, but in countries that set the tone for world politics. "The poor plight of a million Azerbaijani refugees, the tragedies they have been through, and the fact of occupation of territories should be conveyed to the whole wide world. NGOs should be involved more in this struggle rather than political organizations and state bodies."
He reiterated that Ankara was ready to assist Azerbaijan in any way in achieving the liberation of its land from Armenian occupation.
"Azerbaijan is a fraternal country, and we are closely cooperating in the military field. We stand by Azerbaijan at all times," Gul pledged.
Azerbaijan and Armenia have been locked in conflict for over a decade. Peace talks kicked off after a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a cease-fire in 1994, but have brought little tangible result so far. Armenia continues to occupy Upper Garabagh and seven other Azerbaijani districts in defiance of international law.
The Turkish president said no meetings with the opposition were scheduled during his visit, due November 6-8, but he was expected to address the Milli Majlis (parliament).
"There are opposition members represented in the legislature, which means they will be addressed too.
"There is no democracy without opposition, while a country's power dwells upon democracy," Gul said.
Commenting on the suggestions to set up a common market of the Turkic states, he said relevant agreements should be signed first.
"Bilateral discussions should be held and trade deals reached among countries. If we want to further ties, we need to sign documents with other Turkic nations to establish free trade relations," Gul said.