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Turkish prime minister's discussing Karabakh issue in Russia to positively affect solution of problem: deputy executive secretary of Azerbaijan's ruling party

Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict Materials 8 January 2010 21:57 (UTC +04:00)
Including the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in the agenda of the meetings of the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan with the leaders of Russia can positively affect the solution of this problem, deputy executive secretary of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) said.
Turkish prime minister's discussing Karabakh issue in Russia to positively affect solution of problem: deputy executive secretary of Azerbaijan's ruling party

Azerbaijan, Baku, January 8 / Trend , A.Huseynbala /

Including the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in the agenda of the meetings of the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan with the leaders of Russia can positively affect the solution of this problem, deputy executive secretary of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) said.

"Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Moscow is aimed at addressing several issues in the Russia-Turkey relations. As known, over recent years, bilateral relations between the two countries have been developing intensively. The common interests of Russia and Turkey are recorded in several economic projects. These countries implement energy projects," deputy executive secretary, MP Mubariz Gurbanli told the website of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) on Jan. 8.

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.

Turkish and Armenian foreign ministers Ahmet Davutoglu and Edward Nalbandian signed the Ankara-Yerevan protocols in Zurich on Oct. 10. 

Diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey have been broken due to Armenia's claims of an alleged genocide, and its occupation of Azerbaijani lands. The border between them has been broken since 1993. In addition to the so-called "Armenian genocide" in 1915, Armenia has voiced territorial claims on Turkish Anatolia.

According to Gurbanli, who remembered the existence of problems between Turkey and Russia during the USSR period, now the relations between the two countries are developing in a positive direction. "The rapprochement between the two countries, strengthening of economic and political relations ultimately has a positive impact on the solution of problems in the South Caucasus," said deputy executive secretary.

Referring to the Turkish press, Gurbanli said that during the visit, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict question will also be on the agenda of negotiations. "It is not accidental, since Turkey has initiated various projects, including Platform of peace and stability in Caucasus, in order to restore peace and stability in the South Caucasus. In August 2008, during Russian-Georgian war, Turkey was one of the most active countries, making many efforts to restore peace in the region," said the spokesman of the ruling party.

He said that including the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in the agenda of Erdogan's meetings with the leaders of Russia can positively affect the solution of this problem. "Russia is a co-chairman of OSCE Minsk Group, and Turkey is a member of the Minsk Group, and a big state. Russia has enough possibilities to influence Armenia. The question of opening border between Turkey and Armenia is also in Russia's interest. Because opening the border would "give breath" to Armenia, which is under a difficult economic situation," he said.

According to Gurbanli, despite all these, Turkey's position is clear. "Without solution of the Karabakh issue, borders will not be opened. From this point of view, I think that comprehensive discussions over several issues during the forthcoming visit will bring positive results," said deputy executive secretary.

NAP was founded in 1992 by Nationwide Leader Heydar Aliyev when he was Chairman of Supreme Assembly of Nakhchivan. Now the ruling 16 years organization is chaired by President Ilham Aliyev.

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