Azerbaijani Foreign Minister: "Turkey Plays a Serious Role in the Reconstruction of Karabakh"

Azerbaijan Foreign Minister Ceyhun Bayramov made a statement at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister said, "Turkey plays a serious role in the reconstruction of Karabakh." Azerbaijan Foreign Minister Ceyhun Bayramov, who attended the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF), spoke to AA correspondent. Evaluating President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's visit to Azerbaijan on June 15, Bayramov described this visit as “historic” and said: "The President comes to Azerbaijan frequently. But for the first time, a world leader visited the liberated lands and the city of Shusha, which has a special place in the Turkish world. There he signed a declaration of alliance between the two countries with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. This is a historical declaration. It is a statement that will be talked about for many years to come." Saying that the relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan have been moved to higher levels with the Shusa Declaration, Bayramov said, "The foundation of new development perspectives has been laid. Here, the political, economic, humanitarian, military, defense, messages for the Turkish world, for the activities of Azerbaijan and Turkish diasporas, for the solution of regional problems." Bayramov said, "This declaration will positively affect not only Azerbaijan and Turkey, but also the countries of the region. This is a new reality. Azerbaijan and Turkey invite everyone to benefit from this new reality. The Shusha Declaration will serve peace and development in our region."

“Turkey Plays a Serious Role in the Reconstruction of Karabakh”

Stating that they have started extensive reconstruction works in Karabakh, Bayramov said, "Turkey plays a serious role in the reconstruction of Karabakh. We face some difficulties. The region was poisoned by mines by Armenia during the 30-year occupation period. Last week, Armenia gave the mine map of the Aghdam region to Azerbaijan. "According to the information they gave, they laid 97 thousand mines only in Aghdam. Turkey has been supporting Azerbaijan in this regard from the very first day. A large Turkish delegation is working in mine clearance in Azerbaijan. Turkey also provides training to Azerbaijani mine search teams." Expressing that they also started the infrastructure works simultaneously with the mine clearance works, Bayramov noted that Turkish companies took part in the construction of roads, power lines and airports. Minister Bayramov stated that the regions liberated from the occupation have a great potential and that more work will be done there, and that they will give priority to companies of friendly countries, especially Turkey.

“Azerbaijan Is Acting Responsibly”

Bayramov also expressed the following about the tensions that occur from time to time on the border line between Azerbaijan and Armenia: "There has not been a border line between the two countries until now. The reason for this was the occupation. Azerbaijan could not control its borders because our lands have been occupied for 30 years. Last year, we ensured our territorial integrity in the 44-day war and maintained control on the 398.7 kilometer border between us and Armenia. The parties There are differences of opinion and different approaches on the border line between the parties. Because there were only administrative borders during the Soviet period. There are maps on the sides and these maps differ in some places. Our position is as follows. Working groups should be formed between the parties, experts should examine the maps and determine the border line. Azerbaijan, responsible and is doing everything in its power to avoid further tensions at the border." Referring to the issue of observing the ceasefire in Karabakh, Bayramov said that they appreciated the activities of the Turkish-Russian Joint Observation Center.