February 10, 2009 - 16:08 AMT
Turkey, Armenia determined to normalize relations through talks
Babacan's talks in Baku came after bilateral talks with his Armenian counterpart, Edward Nalbandian, and Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan on Friday and Saturday on the sidelines of the 45th Munich Security Conference.

The Nagorno Karabakh conflict was in focus during the talks between the two ministers, with Babacan highlighting the importance of resolving disputes for stability in the region on the basis of international law norms and principles and maintenance of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Burak Ozugergin told the Anatolia news agency.

Mammadyarov lent support to the planned Caucasus stability and cooperation platform, voicing Baku's willingness to intensify efforts to institutionalize the idea.

Ahead of his departure from Munich for Baku late on Sunday, Babacan told reporters that Armenia and Turkey are targeting the "full normalization" of ties through ongoing talks.

"I consider third countries' contributions and observations of this process useful while Turkey and Armenia discuss issues on a bilateral platform. From whichever point of view, we are in the midst of a process in which meetings between Turkey and Armenia are at their most intense and important level since World War I," he said.