Turkey's initiative to develop stability and cooperation in the South Caucasus will open dialogue among interested countries, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said.
Gul began a state visit to Russia today, ITAR-TASS reported.
"We believe the initiative is relevant as there can be no peace or stable development without security and stability in the South Caucasus and other regions," the Vesti channel quoted the Turkish president as saying.
"There are many so-called 'frozen conflicts' in the region. We cannot stall these conflicts forever. We have witnessed that conflicts can appear suddenly as was the case in South Ossetia," Gul said.
"We believe the platform will provide the necessary ground for dialogue between interested countries. We are encouraged that all the countries that reviewed the idea greeted it warmly - first and foremost Russia," Gul said.
"The platform was developed in detail at two meetings in December 2008 and January 2009. I hope the initiative will be fruitful," Gul said.