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AZERBAIJANI OFFICIAL SAYS BILATERAL TIES WITH TURKEY UNSHAKABLE
Today's Zaman, Turkey
Dec 25 2013
Elnur Aslanov
25 December 2013 /LAMİYA ADİLGIZI, İSTANBUL
Azerbaijan and Turkey are not just strategic partners but also
a growing force in the region that no third power can undermine,
a high ranking official from Azerbaijan says.
"No other power would be able to damage relations between Azerbaijan
and Turkey. We are one nation -- though two states -- with values
of a common history, culture, language and religion. This creates
huge potential and opportunity for the future of both nations,"
Elnur Aslanov, chief of the Presidential Administration's Political
Analysis and Information Support Department, said at a book launch
in İstanbul late Tuesday.
Addressing the attendees of the book launch for "Ilham: Portrait of
A President" by Graeme H. Wilson, which took place in İstanbul's
Cıragan Palace, Aslanov said that the success of Turkey also means
the success of Azerbaijan.
"A developing Turkey means the rise of Azerbaijan and, vice versa,
a stronger Azerbaijan means a powerful Turkey," Aslanov said. He added
that the two states are strong together and that joint efforts of both
states should be related to the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, which has been deadlocked for 20 years.
Turkey and Azerbaijan are considered "brotherly countries" due to
their ethnic kinship, a fact that led Ankara to close its border with
Armenia in 1993 in solidarity with Baku after Armenian armed forces
occupied territories of Azerbaijan, including Nagorno-Karabakh and
seven adjacent territories.
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict remains at a stalemate due to a lack of
progress in negotiations. Although the Armenian government has always
held that Turkey should have no say in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,
Turkey has always backed Azerbaijan in the dispute, declaring itself
to be on Azerbaijan's side.
"Turkey has constantly stood by Azerbaijan in the settlement process of
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and it continues to support the country
and its position on each regional and international platform," Aslanov
said. He added: "Unfortunately, Armenia continues its unconstructive
position in the settlement of the conflict, and it is only Azerbaijan
and Turkey that are punishing Armenia in the region.
We hope that other countries and international organization will also
join this unity."
Turkey and Azerbaijan have so far maintained a policy of isolation
toward Armenia -- a move that Ankara and Baku believe will push Armenia
toward a long-awaited, peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict.
Today's Zaman, Turkey
Dec 25 2013
Elnur Aslanov
25 December 2013 /LAMİYA ADİLGIZI, İSTANBUL
Azerbaijan and Turkey are not just strategic partners but also
a growing force in the region that no third power can undermine,
a high ranking official from Azerbaijan says.
"No other power would be able to damage relations between Azerbaijan
and Turkey. We are one nation -- though two states -- with values
of a common history, culture, language and religion. This creates
huge potential and opportunity for the future of both nations,"
Elnur Aslanov, chief of the Presidential Administration's Political
Analysis and Information Support Department, said at a book launch
in İstanbul late Tuesday.
Addressing the attendees of the book launch for "Ilham: Portrait of
A President" by Graeme H. Wilson, which took place in İstanbul's
Cıragan Palace, Aslanov said that the success of Turkey also means
the success of Azerbaijan.
"A developing Turkey means the rise of Azerbaijan and, vice versa,
a stronger Azerbaijan means a powerful Turkey," Aslanov said. He added
that the two states are strong together and that joint efforts of both
states should be related to the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, which has been deadlocked for 20 years.
Turkey and Azerbaijan are considered "brotherly countries" due to
their ethnic kinship, a fact that led Ankara to close its border with
Armenia in 1993 in solidarity with Baku after Armenian armed forces
occupied territories of Azerbaijan, including Nagorno-Karabakh and
seven adjacent territories.
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict remains at a stalemate due to a lack of
progress in negotiations. Although the Armenian government has always
held that Turkey should have no say in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,
Turkey has always backed Azerbaijan in the dispute, declaring itself
to be on Azerbaijan's side.
"Turkey has constantly stood by Azerbaijan in the settlement process of
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and it continues to support the country
and its position on each regional and international platform," Aslanov
said. He added: "Unfortunately, Armenia continues its unconstructive
position in the settlement of the conflict, and it is only Azerbaijan
and Turkey that are punishing Armenia in the region.
We hope that other countries and international organization will also
join this unity."
Turkey and Azerbaijan have so far maintained a policy of isolation
toward Armenia -- a move that Ankara and Baku believe will push Armenia
toward a long-awaited, peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict.