Turkey, Erzurum, Dec. 3 / Trend A. Tagiyeva /
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is close to the settlement, as all countries of the region, in particular, Armenia and Russia, understand the need to resolve this problem. The continuation of the conflict harms these countries, deputy chairman of the Turkish ruling Justice and Development Party Haluk Ipek told Trend today.
"Armenia is isolated because of its aggressive policy," he said. "As a result, the economy greatly weakened."
Taking into account Armenia's serious economic and strategic problems, the country's authorities will be forced to admit their wrong policy, he said.
He said that Turkey always supported Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh issue. Ankara will continue supporting the fraternal country till the conflict is resolved.
Turkey may begin playing a more active role in this issue and take the initiative because of Russia's ineffective initiative to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, he said.
"We believe that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be resolved with Turkey's help," Ipek said.
"Time is working for the benefit of Azerbaijan," he said. Azerbaijan has become a country with a stable and growing economy for 20 years of independence. The leading world countries and international organizations recognized its political power."
He also stressed that the Armenian-Turkish relations can not be improved till Azerbaijani lands are under Armenia's occupation. Nobody can force the Turkish authorities to open border with Armenia.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994.
The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France, and the U.S. - are currently holding the peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.