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Azerbaijani and Turkish presidents hold press conference

17 August 2010 08:57 (UTC +04:00)

Baku â€“ APA. Following the document signing ceremony on August 16, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Turkey Abdullah Gul held a press conference. APA reports that prior to the press conference the presidents issued a statement. President Ilham Aliyev said the visit of the Turkish President and the agreements reached as a result of the meeting would play an important role in the development of the friendship and brotherhood between Turkey and Azerbaijan.

â€œThe resolution of Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno Karabakh was also discussed during the meeting. We exchanged views on this issue. As you know, Azerbaijanâ€™s territories have been under the occupation of Armenia for long years. As a result of this occupation and ethnic cleansing policy, over one million Azerbaijanis have been displaced. Ethnic cleansing policy was pursued by Armenia against the Azerbaijanis, the norms of the international law were violated. International organizations â€“ UN, Council of Europe, OSCE, Organization of Islamic Conference, European Parliament have passed a number of resolutions, decisions on the resolution of the conflict, all of them demand the unconditional restoration of Azerbaijanâ€™s territorial integrity. Unfortunately, Armeniaâ€™s non-constructive position does not offer opportunities for the resolution of the problem. But Azerbaijan will continue taking all necessary measures for the restoration of its territorial integrity, increase its political and diplomatic efforts. I am sure that Azerbaijanâ€™s territorial integrity will be restored,â€ Ilham Aliyev underlined.

Abdullah Gul underlined that political, economic and cultural relations were improving.
â€œWe have had discussions on the measures that should be taken in order to make Caucasus a stable and secure region. We discussed the resolution of Nagorno Karabakh problem, end of the occupation of the Azerbaijani territories within the framework of Azerbaijanâ€™s territorial integrity. We know that millions of refugees, IDPs are living in very hard conditions. Actually, the entire world should see this truth. Not enough attention has been paid to this problem in the world. We hope its time has reached, all the problems will be solved within the framework of Azerbaijanâ€™s territorial integrity. We will continue our activity and discussions with regard to this. It is not right to keep this problem frozen. Frozen conflicts may unexpectedly turn into a very big problem. There are appeals of the UN, Organization of Islamic Conference and other international organizations. Taking all these appeals into account, friendly countries, countries of the region, all the neighboring countries having historical relations with this region should be active and help solve the problem. I hope the activities carried out in this field in the previous years will continue. Turkey will continue its activity in this direction, no doubt will exchange views with Azerbaijan. We will constantly exchange views with Honorable President, my brother Ilham Aliyev and continue efforts for the solution of these problems. I want to tell my Azerbaijani brothers once more that Turkey always supports Azerbaijan, demonstrates and will demonstrate solidarity with Azerbaijan. Once more I want to express the love of the Turkish people to all Azerbaijani brothers,â€ he said.

Following this, the presidents answered the questions of journalists. Asked about the visa regime between the two countries, President Ilham Aliyev said the numerous contracts between Turkey and Azerbaijan laid the legal foundation for the development of the relations.
â€œLegal documents regulate our relations in all spheres. The visa issue has also been discussed today. In order to solve this issue, internal procedures should also be carried out in Azerbaijan. These issues should be discussed once more. As you know, Turkey has taken practical steps for the unilateral elimination of visa requirements with all Turkic-speaking countries. We are grateful for this step. I hope Azerbaijan will also take similar steps after all internal procedures are over,â€ he said.

Touching on Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno Karabakh President said the sides were on the decisive stage.
â€œThe negotiations carried out in the past five-six years have led to the preparation of some proposals. These proposals have been officially presented to Armenia and Azerbaijan by Minsk Group. The proposals have a balanced essence. If the proposals are accepted, the problem can be solved peacefully and within the framework of Azerbaijanâ€™s territorial integrity. The essence of the proposals is that Armenian occupying forces are withdrawn from the occupied Azerbaijani territories and Azerbaijanis return to their native lands. Moreover, peacekeeping forces are deployed in the region to ensure the security. Corridor between Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh and other issues are envisaged. So, the essence is that the Azerbaijani territories are released from occupation, Azerbaijanâ€™s territorial integrity is restored. As regards the final status of Nagorno Karabakh, this is the matter of the future. The Azerbaijani side has stated several times that Azerbaijan will never give its consent to the status of Nagorno Karabakh outside Azerbaijan and the norms of the international law defend this position. If the Armenian side is constructive, respects the international norms, obeys all the resolutions of the international organizations, withdraws its occupying forces from the territories of another country, then the problem will be solved soon. Peace will be established between Armenia and Azerbaijan, all communications will be opened, large cooperation will be established in the region. We wish this and expect the Armenian side to take constructive steps,â€ he said.

Answering the same question, Turkish President expressed his confidence that the Caucasus would turn into a region of stable cooperation.
â€œThis problem must be solved. This conflict has been lasting in this manner for 18 years, but it must not continue from now on. Meeting, discussions should be held, open, sometimes secret diplomatic activity should be carried out. No doubt, the conflict must be solved within the framework of Azerbaijanâ€™s territorial integrity. All must know it, as the occupation of the UN-recognized borders by another country can not be accepted by the international law, or approved. In this respect we will continue to do our best for the solution of this problem,â€ he said.