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Azerbaijan, Baku, Nov. 3 / Trend K.Zarbaliyeva /
Azerbaijani Defense Minister Safar Abiyev expressed regret that international structures have not accurately assessed terrorist activities directed against the Azerbaijani and Turkish peoples.
"Azerbaijan and Turkey supported each other and were together in many ordeals throughout the history," he said. "We especially feel this in regards to the initial period of occupation of Azerbaijan's lands by Armenia. Unfortunately, the terrorist activities directed against the Azerbaijani and Turkish peoples have not been given a due assessment by a number of international structures."
Abiyev made the statement during a meeting with Turkish Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul.
Gonul began an official visit to Azerbaijan yesterday.
Abiyev stressed that Azerbaijan is continuing the process to peacefully settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. However, he underscored that the country will be foreced to use alternative methods to de-occupy its lands in the event that talks fail.
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 seven surrounding districts.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France, and the United State - are currently holding the peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of Nagorno Karabakh and the surrounding regions.
Abiyev also noted the rapid development of Azerbaijani-Turkish relations in the military sphere.
Meanwhile, Gonul expressed hope that these relations will continue to develop.
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