TURKEY FOLLOWS KARABAKH SETTLEMENT WITH ATTENTION
PanARMENIAN.Net
07.03.2006 22:56 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “After the Cold War and up to now the South
Caucasus is an arena of dramatic events. Ethnic collision and those
over territorial matters resulted in the death of thousands of people,
while tens of thousands left their homes,” stated Turkish FM Abdullah
Gul. In his words, unsolved “frozen conflicts” are the biggest barrier
on the way of lasting stability and regional development. Today the
South Caucasus is in focus of the international community. During
solution of regional conflicts this attention should be used,
Gul remarked. “Any manifestation of instability in the region is
a potential, which has a negative impact on Turkey’s interests,”
he added.
Key principles our position rests on over the Nagorno Karabakh
issue are well-known. The conflict in question, provoked by Armenia
violating such international legal principles as inadmissibility of
changing available borders by force, as well as respect of territorial
integrity refer not only to states of the region, but also all parties,
who value peace, stability and serenity in the South Caucasus. Turkey,
being a member of the OSCE Minsk Group from the very beginning,
follows the conflict settlement process with attention. We still have
a hope that progress is possible in the peace process within the
Prague format. Continuing dialogue between Azerbaijan and Armenia
at the level of presidents and FMs is important,” the Turkish FM
emphasized. “Of course, resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
will promote regional cooperation and normalization of relations
between Armenia and Turkey. As an OSCE MG member we hope for the
need of active contribution to the search for ways of settlement. We
continue viewing the OSCE Minsk process as a platform, which will
allow finding a solution to the conflict. At that we are sure that
a far-sighted and more comprehensive approach, as well as creative
innovation will be useful in overcoming differences,” Abdullah Gul
added. In his words, “during the meeting of the Armenian and Azeri
presidents in Paris February 10-11 no progress towards settlement of
the conflict was registered.” “It seems that it would be favorable to
everyone if the talks efforts to promote a settlement of the conflict
continue in 2006,” the Turkish FM summed up, reports Trend agency.