Ankara affirms backing of Baku after critical reports
Turkey has said there was no change in its policy on
the Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict, dismissing allegations that
Ankara was backing down from its long-standing tough stance against
Armenia`s occupation of Azerbaijan territory.
"As always, Turkey stands by fraternal Azerbaijan," the Turkish embassy in Baku said in a statement seen by AssA-Irada.
Azerbaijani and Turkish media have circulated reports alleging that Turkey was making concessions to Armenia on the Garabagh issue for the sake of normalizing its relations with Yerevan, which have been historically under a strain.
The embassy refuted allegations that Ankara had softened its demand for Armenia to withdraw from the occupied Azerbaijani region of Upper Garabagh as a pre-condition for improving ties with Yerevan.
"The statements concerning Turkey`s indifference to the restoration of Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity are aimed against relations of the two brotherly countries. Turkish officials have repeatedly stressed the importance of restoring Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity and openly put this forward as a condition to Armenia."
The statement said, further, that one of the fundamental goals of Ankara`s foreign policy was to eliminate outstanding problems with all neighboring states and to expand cooperation. It said the talks underway with Armenia, referring to dialog that has recently started between the two countries, aimed to further that goal. From this standpoint, Azerbaijan and Armenia are holding talks as well. "However, a solution to the Garabagh problem is important for the restoration of relations [between Armenia and Turkey], and this can`t be done away with," the Turkish embassy said.
It indicated that the frequent publication of such reports in the media would harm negotiations and could create stumbling blocks on the way to their successful outcome.
Armenia and Turkey have been at odds and the border between the two countries has been closed since 1993 on Ankara`s insistence due to Armenia`s policy of occupation of Azerbaijani territory and Armenian genocide claims. Yerevan is failing both to end occupation and to relinquish its territorial claims against Turkey, as well as continues spreading the alleged genocide claims worldwide. However, there have been signs of normalization in Ankara-Yerevan ties of late, and the two countries` officials have held several rounds of talks on various levels.
"As always, Turkey stands by fraternal Azerbaijan," the Turkish embassy in Baku said in a statement seen by AssA-Irada.
Azerbaijani and Turkish media have circulated reports alleging that Turkey was making concessions to Armenia on the Garabagh issue for the sake of normalizing its relations with Yerevan, which have been historically under a strain.
The embassy refuted allegations that Ankara had softened its demand for Armenia to withdraw from the occupied Azerbaijani region of Upper Garabagh as a pre-condition for improving ties with Yerevan.
"The statements concerning Turkey`s indifference to the restoration of Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity are aimed against relations of the two brotherly countries. Turkish officials have repeatedly stressed the importance of restoring Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity and openly put this forward as a condition to Armenia."
The statement said, further, that one of the fundamental goals of Ankara`s foreign policy was to eliminate outstanding problems with all neighboring states and to expand cooperation. It said the talks underway with Armenia, referring to dialog that has recently started between the two countries, aimed to further that goal. From this standpoint, Azerbaijan and Armenia are holding talks as well. "However, a solution to the Garabagh problem is important for the restoration of relations [between Armenia and Turkey], and this can`t be done away with," the Turkish embassy said.
It indicated that the frequent publication of such reports in the media would harm negotiations and could create stumbling blocks on the way to their successful outcome.
Armenia and Turkey have been at odds and the border between the two countries has been closed since 1993 on Ankara`s insistence due to Armenia`s policy of occupation of Azerbaijani territory and Armenian genocide claims. Yerevan is failing both to end occupation and to relinquish its territorial claims against Turkey, as well as continues spreading the alleged genocide claims worldwide. However, there have been signs of normalization in Ankara-Yerevan ties of late, and the two countries` officials have held several rounds of talks on various levels.
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