Turkey invariably supports just solution to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
By Rashid Shirinov
Turkey consistently supports a just resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and takes a common position with Azerbaijan, said Turkish Minister of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications Ahmet Arslan.
Arslan, talking to Trend on November 29, said Turkey and Azerbaijan are two states but one nation.
“There are strategic relations between Ankara and Baku in accordance with this principle, and these relations are constantly developing,” the minister added.
Noting that Turkey and Azerbaijan always support each other in all international platforms, Arslan said that this fact pleases Ankara.
“Cooperation of Turkey and Azerbaijan will develop in the future at an increasing pace. It is important for our countries and peoples,” the minister noted.
Ankara backs Baku on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement and advocates a solution to this problem in the framework of territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan. Turkey has repeatedly voiced its desire to contribute to peace and stability in the region.
The OSCE Minsk Group was created in 1992 to find a peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Currently, it is co-chaired by the Russian Federation, the U.S., and France.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations.
Armenia still controls fifth part of Azerbaijan's territory and rejects implementing four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding districts.
---
Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov
Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz