Aliyev Again Demands Armenian ‘Withdrawal’

BAKU (Combined Sources)—Following a meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Abdullah Gul, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev said that the only thing that could move the Karabakh peace talks forward was the “withdrawal” of Armenian force from the liberated territories surrounding the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.

“In order to ensure safety in the region, a peacekeeping contingent should be deployed there,” Aliyev said, adding that the conflict may be soon settled if Armenia complies with all international resolutions.

Gul expressed his support for a settlement of the Karabakh conflict.

“Undoubtedly, the conflict should be resolved within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan since international law cannot deem right any form of violation of the UN-accepted state borders by another state,” Gul said.

Turkey and Azerbaijan need to act in solidarity, cooperation and brotherhood, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said on Monday during a two-day formal visit to Azerbaijan.

“We are one nation with separate states. We come together frequently based on such an understanding. We will continue our solidarity and cooperation,” Gul said Monday after signing a treaty of strategic partnership and mutual cooperation with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

During his visit, Gul met with Aliyev and Azerbaijani Prime Minister Artur Rasizade, who expressed confidence Tuesday that the Turkish president’s visit would contribute to the extension of useful working relations for the welfare of the two realms.

Highlighting the strategic partnership and mutual assistance agreement signed on Monday, Gul said: “Agreements are a clear proof of the importance of political relations. Our bilateral relations continue to develop in the areas of politics, security, economics and culture. Today we discussed ways to promote our relations.”

At a joint press conference on Monday with Aliyev following a meeting between the Turkish and Azerbaijani delegations, Gul said he was thankful to “brotherly” Azerbaijan for the hospitality displayed to him and members of his delegation.

Aliyev said Turkey and Azerbaijan share a deep friendship based on history. “President Gul’s current visit to Azerbaijan will contribute to the development of our relations.”

Gul said Turkey would continue to support Azerbaijan in its conflict with neighboring Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

“Today we discussed what must be done to make the Caucasus a region of stability and security; we talked about the solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh issue and the end of the occupation in Azerbaijani territory,” he said.

Speaking at the joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart, Aliyev said: “Azerbaijan will continue to make political and diplomatic efforts for its territorial integrity. I believe that we will realize Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.” He also thanked Turkey for its support on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.

“Turkey will continue to make efforts so that the issue of occupied Azeri territory gets solved,” Gul said. “I want all of my Azeri brothers and sisters to know that Turkey is, and will always be, on the side of Azerbaijan.”

In response to a question on visa liberalization with Turkey, Aliyev said the issue of visas did come up Monday and that visa liberalization would take place once Azerbaijan makes the necessary internal arrangements.

“Resolving the problems will lead to greater cooperation, the opening up of the borders, the construction of new highways and the creation of bigger economic activities,” said Gul, who was accompanied on the trip by Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Energy Minister Taner Yildiz.

“Big problems can be solved by silent diplomacy and this is how we will solve the problems of the region,” the Turkish president said.