Nagorno Karabakh: Aliyev, Sargsyan Meeting in Turkey
Although some believed the recent meeting between the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents in Moscow was an attempt by Russia to thwart Turkish involvement in the search for a so far elusive Karabakh peace deal, Ankara doesn’t seem daunted. Hurriyet reports that speaking in the Turkish capital, Ilham Aliyev has publicly commented on plans to promote stability in the South Caucasus.
“The developments unfolding in the Caucasus closely concern us all. Turkey is engaged in very active policies for a solution to regional problems and will interfere more seriously in the future,” Ilham Aliyev said in an address to the Turkish legislature. The Azerbaijani leader made his first visit abroad to Turkey after being re-elected.
“The results of this involvement (by Turkey) will be positive. We applaud that,” he added.
Turkey came up with a proposal to set up a Caucasian Cooperation and Stability Platform in the wake of the Georgia-Russia war that broke out in August. Aliyev’s statement is likely to give new impetus to the proposal that will also include Armenia and provide an opportunity to resolve differences over Nagorno-Karabakh, an Azerbaijani territory occupied by Yerevan.
Meanwhile, in related developments, the Trend News Agency reports that Aliyev will likely meet with his Armenian counterpart, Serge Sargsyan, in Turkey in the near future.
President of Turkey Abdullah Gul has initiated to hold trilateral meeting of Presidents of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Turkey in Istanbul, Turkish ZAMAN newspaper reported.
The trilateral meeting of Presidents was discussed by the Presidents Gul and Ilham Aliyev during Azerbaijani Presidents official visit to Turkey.
Azerbaijani President agreed to hold trilateral meeting in Istanbul. The venue and date of the trilateral meeting will be announced after talks with Armenian President Serzh Sarkisyan, ZAMAN reported.
Military Base, Armenia-Azerbaijan border © Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimedia 1994
- Published:
- 11.10.08 / 3am by Onnik
- Category:
- Armenia, Azerbaijan, Military, Nagorno Karabakh, News Briefs, Russia, Turkey
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