Number 53 | September 15, 2008
Following his visit to Armenia and Azerbaijan last week, Turkish President Abdullah Gul stated that he “observed the same sincere desire for a solution” for the Karabakh conflict in both Yerevan and Baku.
"In Azerbaijan I saw the same frank, honest and sincere desire for a solution and respect to opponent that I observed in Armenia earlier. There is a significant opportunity to resolve a long-standing problem. We need to seize this opportunity. Also, everyone is aware that if a solution is reached, it paves the way for cooperation in the region," Gul told reporters after his return from Azerbaijan where he met the President Ilham Aliyev.
According to news reports, President Gul stated that Armenia had the will to withdraw from the occupied Azerbaijani territories in case of a final agreement between the two countries. "My talks with Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents revealed the need for exchange of views between the two countries on bilateral, regional and international developments. Turkey and Azerbaijan have always advocated that the regional problems should be resolved through peaceful and diplomatic ways," he said.
Gul’s visit to Azerbaijan came on the heels of his landmark visit to Yerevan on the invitation of Armenia’s President Serj Sarkisyan on the occasion of a Turkish-Armenian soccer match. Turkey, while being one of the first countries to recognize Armenia’s independence, has not established diplomatic relations with the country due to the continuing Armenian occupation of the Upper Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, in addition to 20 percent of adjacent Azerbaijani territory. Azerbaijan and Turkey have strong ethnic and historical ties and are partners in many regional energy, trade and security arrangements. Turkey, while trying to maintain a delicate balance with both Russia and Georgia in the aftermath of the Russia-Georgia war, has voiced strong support for the territorial integrity of Georgia and called for the establishment of a Caucasia Stability and Cooperation Platform.