Azernews.Az

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev receiving members of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Turkey`s Grand National Assembly (parliament) on Wednesday praised bilateral relations between the two allies, amid a cool-down in their ties cause by Ankara’s efforts toward reconciliation with Armenia.
Discussions focused on a wide range of issues, including important developments in the volatile region, according to the presidential press-service.
The Azerbaijani leader welcomed the trip of the Turkish parliamentary delegation, saying "reciprocal visits are of great importance to obtain information about the ongoing processes in the region from the primary source."
Recalling that Turkey was the first country to recognize Azerbaijan’s independence, President Aliyev emphasized that the two countries have been adhering to the same stance ever since. "No other countries have such sincere mutually beneficial cooperation in the political, economic and cultural fields as Turkey and Azerbaijan do."
The president stated that no projects can be realized in the region without Azerbaijani-Turkish cooperation. He said both countries should continue "these positive trends, which will be useful for both of our nations and the region."
Touching upon the protocols on normalizing relations signed by Turkey and Armenia earlier this month, the Azerbaijani leader said Baku was pursuing a policy of non-interference with the domestic affairs of other countries.
The president noted a part of Azerbaijan’s territories has been under Armenian occupation for nearly two decades.
"Armenia has committed genocide and ethnic cleansing policy in these territories. Therefore, a sensitive approach by Azerbaijani public to the relations of Turkey with Armenia should be considered as natural. The main cause of concern in Azerbaijan is the possibility of Armenia’s coming out of a dire economic crisis and toughening its stance in [peace] talks with the opening of the Turkish-Armenian border."
Aliyev noted that Armenia-Azerbaijan and Turkey-Armenia relations should be resolved simultaneously.
Aliyev also recalled promises of the Turkish president, prime minister and parliament speaker that the country’s border with Armenia will not be reopened until the Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict is resolved and Armenian forces withdraw from occupied territories of Azerbaijan.
Turkey and Armenia signed protocols to establish diplomatic relations and reopen their borders in Zurich on October 10, after decades of hostility. The development has raised concerns in Azerbaijan.
President Aliyev said "Turkish-Azerbaijani relations are special and each citizen of both countries should spare no efforts to strengthen these relations."
Murat Mercan, chairman of the Turkish parliament’s foreign affairs commission, said friendly and fraternal relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan have historically common roots. The MP from the ruling AK Party said deputies of the two countries enjoy effective cooperation within regional and international organizations.
Touching upon Turkish-Armenian relations, Mercan pointed out that his country understands Azerbaijan’s sensitiveness in this regard, and reopening of borders between Turkey and Armenia is impossible as long as the Garabagh conflict remains unresolved.
Mercan stressed the importance of further strengthening of cooperation between the Turkish and Azerbaijani parliaments, suggesting that their foreign relations commissions meet twice a year.
President Aliyev welcomed the proposal, adding that meetings between the two countries’ parliamentary delegations could be held not only in the capital cities but also in the regions.*