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Pierre Lellouche: We support all steps that will lead to the peaceful solution to Nagorno Karabakh conflict

02 October 2009 08:08 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Fuad Gulubayli â€“ APA. The French Secretary of State for European Affairs Pierre Lellouche expressed his views on Turkey-Armenia relations, Nagorno Karabakh conflict at a briefing in Strasbourg, APAâ€™s correspondent accredited in the Council of Europe reports. Pierre Lellouche mentioned that Foreign Minister of France Bernard Kouchner expressed his satisfaction with Turkey-Armenia rapprochement.
â€œWe have been making efforts to solve the problem peacefully. For several years I have been asking Turkish government to take steps for reopening of the borders with Armenia. It should favor both Turkey and Armenia. As regards Nagorno Karabakh conflict, everything will depend on what the sides want. It is very important for Europe, Turkey, Armenia and the development of peacemaking process in the whole region,â€ he said.

Pierre Lellouche said he met with Turkish and Russian delegations and noted that on October 7 Turkish President Abdullah Gul will visit Paris within the framework of Turkish Cultural Season in France.
â€œMr. Abdullah Gul is a friend of France. From this visit we expect closer relations between France and Turkey. President of France will also receive Turkish President,â€ he said.

French Secretary of State for European Affairs did not want to speak about the details of the local conflicts damaging Europeâ€™s security. He said he visited Azerbaijan, Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.
â€œI understand the difficulties of these conflicts. I do not believe that such conflicts can be managed by media statements, on the contrary these conflicts are solved through negotiations. We support all steps that will lead to the peaceful solution to the conflict. I was appointed French Secretary of State for European Affairs three months ago. I plan to visit the South Caucasus. We will be pleased to participate in this process, if there are improvements in the negotiations between the sides and they do not mind Franceâ€™s participating in the process of settlement,â€ he said.