Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 9
By Jamila Jafarova - Trend:
Turkey will always help Azerbaijan in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Turkey's Ambassador in Azerbaijan Ismail Alper Coskun told reporters Feb. 9.
He said Turkey has always supported and will support Azerbaijan's territorial integrity.
"Turkey supports the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the peace negotiations between the parties," he added.
The ambassador noted that Turkey fully supports the work and efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group and expressed hope the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be settled in the shortest time.
"Whatever happens, Turkey will always help Azerbaijan in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the early return of Azerbaijani lands," said the ambassador.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan.
As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.
The two countries signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and the US are currently holding peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.