Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz said Armenia and Azerbaijan have made significant progress in the peace process.

Speaking in Istanbul at the international defense, aviation and space industry exhibition SAHA EXPO, Yilmaz said Turkey wants lasting peace in the South Caucasus, Ermenihaber reports.

“Armenia and Azerbaijan have made significant progress in this process. In our assessment, very little remains before peace. With the establishment of this peace, the South Caucasus, as a large region of strategic importance, will play a much more distinct role both regionally and globally,” he said.

Yilmaz is due to attend the 8th summit of the European Political Community in Yerevan and meet with Pashinyan. Following the meeting, a protocol was signed on carrying out joint restoration work on the historic Ani Bridge, also known as the Silk Road Bridge, located on the border between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey.