In process of normalizing relations with Armenia, we act within framework of my speech in Azerbaijani parliament: Turkish PM

Azerbaijan, Baku, Oct. 13 / Trend /

In process of normalizing the relations with Armenia we act within the framework of my speech at the Azerbaijani parliament, Turkish Prime Minister Receb Tayyib Erdigan said at the meeting of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) on Oct.13, the Turkish CNN Turk TV channel reported.

If the problems between Azerbaijan and Armenia are solved, process of the normalization of the Turkey-Armenia relations will be easier, Erdogan added.

Erdogan mentioned that if the Turkish Parliament not ratifies the Armenia-Turkey protocol, the normalization of the Turkey-Armenia relations cannot be launched.

Erdogan also touched upon the issue of the Armenian diasporas' protests against the normalization of the Turkey-Armenia relations.

Erdogan regreted that the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs were thus far fruitless. "Although the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs repeatedly gathered the presidents of the two countries, it did not yield any fruit."

Turkish and Armenian Foreign Ministers, Ahmet Davutoglu and Edward Nalbandian signed the Ankara-Yerevan protocol in Zurich on Oct. 10.

Armenian-Turkish ties have been severed since 1993 due to Armenia's claims to recognize so-called "Armenian genocide" and Armenia's occupation of Azerbaijani lands.

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.


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