Antalya, Turkey, Nov.4
By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:
Azerbaijan's interests must be taken into account in the restoration of the Turkish-Armenian relations, Turkish Vice Prime Minister Yalcin Akdogan said at a press-conference as part of the international conference of media representatives.
He said that of course, Azerbaijan's interests are of particular importance for Turkey and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is also a problem of Turkey.
While commenting on the events of 1915 and the so-called "Armenian genocide" Akdogan said that Turkey and Azerbaijan must act together in the issue of the 100th anniversary of "genocide" initiated by Armenia.
The diplomatic relations between the two countries were severed in 1993.
The reason is Yerevan's claims over recognition of the so-called Armenian 'genocide' in the world and Armenia's occupation of Azerbaijani lands.
Armenia and the Armenian lobby claim that Turkey's predecessor the Ottoman Empire allegedly carried out "genocide" against the Armenians living in Anatolia in 1915. Turkey in turn has always denied the "genocide" took place.
While strengthening the efforts to promote the so-called "genocide" in the world, Armenians have achieved its recognition by the parliaments of some countries.
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.
edited by CN