Erdogan called for speedy settlement of NKR conflictJune 1, 2009 - 20:01 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - "Time has come to put an end to Karabakh conflict, a factor that impedes regional development. I have optimistic attitude towards Armenian and Azeri Presidents' upcoming meeting in St. Petersburg. Everything depends on Armenia and OSCE MG Co-Chairs who have committed themselves to conflict settlement," Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on public TV.Karabakh conflict, according to the Turkish official, is Turkey's problem as well. "We directly announced it to our Russian, American and European partners, calling on them to settle the conflict within shortest time-limits. It's the main problem impeding regional development. Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, Baku-Tbilisi-Erzrum and Baku-Tbilisi-Kars pipelines, as well as Nabucco project testify to our close ties with Azerbaijan. Good circulation between our states has already exceeded the sum of USD 2 billion. Turkish investments in Azerbaijan's oil sector comprise USD 3 billion. The only problem we have is Karabakh issue; its solution requires international community's firm position. We want Co-Chairs to realize their share of responsibility," Erdogan stressed. Turkish Prime Minister also emphasized army's role in Turkish society's life, reminding one's again that his country was an energy corridor between Middle East, the Caspian Sea and the West. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Police try to impede Armenian Church head’s access to war memorial Police tried to stop the supreme head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Catholicos Karekin II, from visiting a war memorial. Greece says ready to help as Armenia fights flooding consequences Greece is ready to assist Armenia in combatting the consequences of deadly floods in the country’s north. “He will leave”: Protest leader no longer demands meeting with Pashinyan Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan no longer demands a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Lemkin Institute petition seeks release of Armenians in Azerbaijan The Lemkin Institute is deeply concerned about the continued illegal detention of political prisoners from Karabakh in Azerbaijan. |