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Turkish President's Senior Advisor: Azerbaijan-Armenia peace agreement will be key to resolving many issues -INTERVIEW

13 March 2025 18:52 (UTC +04:00)

Turkish President's Chief Adviser on Foreign Policy and Security Issues Akif Çağatay Kılıç's interview with APA

We closely follow the issue of a peace agrement between Azerbaijan and Armenia and take our steps accordingly

- What stage is the normalization process of relations between Türkiye and Armenia at?

- Our position regarding the normalization process between Türkiye and Armenia is already known. The security and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is our main priority. Based on this stance, we closely monitor the process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, including the peace agreement, following the Second Garabagh War, and we take steps accordingly. Of course, there are ongoing discussions with Armenia. There are also international organizations where both Azerbaijan and Türkiye are represented together with Armenia. We are working to find the best solution and live in peace moving forward together.

- Is the issue of Türkiye and Armenia opening diplomatic representations mutually at the current stage a subject of discussion?

- Currently, there is no situation that would make discussions on this matter necessary. Also, I have no information regarding this. Again, I would like to emphasize that our position on the process is well known: The peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia will be the key to resolving many issues.

The issue that we are currently focusing on is the process between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

- Azerbaijan wants Armenia's Constitution to be amended because it includes territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenia also has territorial claims against Türkiye. Does Türkiye have a demand for Armenia to withdraw its territorial claims in order to normalize relations?

- I have received information that today, Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov made a statement regarding the agreement on the text of the peace agreement with Armenia. Currently, the matter we are focusing on is the process between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Türkiye and Azerbaijan will work together to prevent undesirable situations

- Azerbaijan has recently expressed concern about the efforts of the European Union and France to arm Armenia. Is Türkiye taking any steps regarding this issue?

- Türkiye’s EU membership process has been ongoing for 60 years, which has been an unjust process against Türkiye. Throughout this period, we have gained experience regarding how EU structures operate. In this context, Türkiye and Azerbaijan will combine their experiences to work towards preventing any undesirable situations.

We are creating all opportunities for Azerbaijan to support Syria and participate in the processes it wishes to be involved in

- And how are Türkiye and Azerbaijan cooperating on the Syria issue?

- During the 14 years of war, Türkiye has made great efforts to assist the Syrian people. Nearly 4 million Syrian refugees fled the oppression of the Assad regime and sought refuge in Türkiye. In the subsequent phase, we established close relations with those fighting for Syria’s unity, taking into account our recommendations. Today, many countries are seeking Türkiye’s support to build relations with Syria. Together with brotherly Azerbaijan, we are creating all opportunities for Azerbaijan to support Syria and participate in the processes it wishes to be involved in.