Azernews.Az

ANKARA – The Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict is currently the main obstacle to achieve a "favorable climate" in the South Caucasus, Turkish President Abdullah Gul has said.

"I believe that Turkey's view on this issue coincides with the Russian Federation’s viewpoint. Progress that can be achieved in resolving the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, from this point of view, will have decisive importance," Gul said in an interview with Russia’s Moskovsky Komsomolets newspaper ahead of his visit to Russia.

Gul once again stressed that Turkey is ready to fully support seeking the conflict resolution, in which Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is personally involved, as well as do everything necessary to move the peace process forward.

Gul said progress achieved in this direction will undoubtedly have a positive impact on Turkish-Armenian relations, adding that this is Turkey’s position on normalization of relations with Armenia.

"We sincerely wish for a successful completion of the normalization process. In the process of formation of a sustainable peace in the South Caucasus and establishment of cooperation in the countries in the region and beyond it, the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia and between Armenia and Turkey should not be perceived as separate processes, it should be considered on region-wide basis."

Gul also said the South Caucasus region’s special importance as a region neighboring with Turkey and Russia is obvious.

"Guided by a strategy aimed at creating an atmosphere of peace, stability and prosperity in the nearby region, Ankara is striving to achieve peace, security and cooperation in this region as well," Gul said.