Azerbaijani foreign minister completes official visit to Turkey - UPDATE

Dec. 26
09:36

As part of his visit to Turkey, Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has met Turkish President Abdullah Gul.

The talks focused on settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, peace and stability in the South Caucasus region and prospects for Turkey-Azerbaijan relationship.

Mammadyarov delivered President Ilham Aliyev`s greetings to the Turkish leader.

President Abdullah Gul, in turn, asked the Minister to pass on his greetings to the Azerbaijani leader.

Azerbaijani ambassador to Turkey Zakir Hashimov and Turkish envoy to Azerbaijan Hulusi Kilic were present at the meeting.

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Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov met with his counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu. Following the meeting the ministers held a press conference.

Davutoglu said they had discussed development of the bilateral relations and situation in the region, particularly settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

“We think we are very close to peace in the Caucasus. Everybody should try not to miss this opportunity. The Minsk Group should do its best to increase dynamics to solve the conflict. Our policy aims to end occupations in the region and open the close borders. There is all-round cooperation and coordination between Azerbaijan and Turkey in all issues,” he said.

Mammadyarov said they had discussed the urgent issues and problems.

“First of all we discussed the most serious security problem in the region, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. We believe that occupation and the problem of refugees is the biggest obstacle for stability and development. How can we speak about peace and security while 20 percent of Azerbaijan’s territories are under occupation?” he said.

Mammadyarov noted that Turkey-Azerbaijan relations were on the highest level.

“Our presidents often meet, talk, meeting of the intergovernmental commission will be held next year,” he said.

As to ratification of the Turkey-Armenia protocols, Davutoglu said the Turkish parliament’s will is superior: “The Prime Minister explained the policy of our government toward this issue for many times. The issue was also discussed in the United States and our position was explained there. We sincerely wish to normalize relations with Armenia”.

Turkish journalist asked about the recent misunderstandings between Azerbaijan and Turkey stressing that Davutoglu has visited Azerbaijan for four times since his appointment to the ministerial post, but Mammadyarov visits Turkey officially for the first time.

Davutoglu said they would never allow misunderstandings between Turkey and Azerbaijan.

“We are regularly holding consultations and meeting frequently, sometime we are talking with Mr. Mammadyarov everyday. There is a principle of “One nation, two states” for that. We can solve any discord by talks. The historic ties between Azerbaijan and Turkey will never be cut”.

Mammadyarov reminded that Turkey was the first country recognizing the independence of Azerbaijan.

“Azerbaijani state and people always feel the support of Turkey. It is some ridiculous to evaluate the relations for the number of visits. I frequently visit Istanbul to be on transit during my travels abroad. This is not my first visit to Turkey. I have been on working visits to Turkey for many times. We are talking as
brothers”.

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Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has met Friday here Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and parliamentary speaker Mehmet Ali Shahin.

The talks focused on a number of issues including settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and international and regional cooperation.

The sides expressed satisfaction with the “high-level relationship between the two fraternal countries.”

Present in the meeting were Foreign Minister of Turkey Ahmet Davutoglu, Azerbaijani ambassador to Ankara Zakir Hashimov and Turkish envoy to Baku Hulusi Kilic.

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Turkey wants to withdraw the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict from the number of frozen conflicts, said Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu during a joint press conference in Ankara with his Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov, Turkish TRT 2 television channel reported.

He said that Ankara wishes to normalize relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and at the same time, tries to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in near future.

Concerning the normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia, Davutoglu mentioned the sincerity of Ankara, and the activities of the country to establish peace in the region.

Dec. 25
18:33

Azerbaijan and Turkey failed to sign a deal to cancel visa requirements.

It was stated at a news conference on outcomes of the meeting between Foreign Ministers Elmar Mammadyarov of Azerbaijan and Ahmet Davutoglu of Turkey in Ankara.

Azerbaijani FM Elmar Mammadyarov said it was planned to sign the deal, but it was impossible because of some procedural problems.

“Turkey has prepared everything. But Azerbaijan should pass some procedures. The protocol to cancel the visa regime will be signed as soon as these procedures complete,” he said.

15:11

The meeting between Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mamamdyarov and Ahmet Davutoglu has ended, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said.

The details of the meeting are not reported.

“Following the meeting, Azerbaijani FM visited the Mustafa Kemal Ataturk Mausoleum and laid flowers at the tomb,” the ministry said.

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14:33

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and his Turkish Counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu have launched a tête-à-tête meeting.

The meeting takes place behind the closed doors. 

Following their meeting, the ministers are expected to hold a joint news conference.

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12:05

Some details of program of Azerbaijani FM’s visit to Turkey have been released.

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister will visit the Heydar Aliyev Park in the first half of the day and later will meet with Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu.

Mammadyarov will also visit Mustafa Kemal Ataturk Mausoleum, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry’s press office said.

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11:38

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has started his official visit to Turkey.

Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry’s press office said Elmar Mammadyarov left for Turkey in the evening on Dec. 24.

He will hold official meetings in Ankara today.

According to the Turkish Foreign Ministry’s official statement on the visit, Elmar Mammadyarov will have one-on-one meeting with his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu. Later a meeting will be held in presence of delegations.

President Abdullah Gul, Speaker of the Turkish parliament Mehmet Ali Sahin and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will receive Mammadyarov.

Prospects of Turkey-Azerbaijan relations, regional problems of mutual interest, mainly Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be discussed during the meetings.

/APA/, Day.Az, /Trend News//AzerTaj/