Turkey concerned over deadly clashes between Azeri and Armenian troops

ANKARA

Turkey has expressed concern over the recent clashes between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops that claimed the lives of more than 20 Azerbaijani soldiers and reiterated an urgent solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh problem was necessary for entire regional stability and peace.

“We are following the recent clashes with sorrow and concern that occurred on the line of contact on the occupied Azerbaijani territories that resulted in the loss of many lives. We wish God’s mercy on our Azerbaijani brothers who died in the conflicts and extend our condolences to their families and the brotherly people of Azerbaijan,” read a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry late Aug. 2. The statement followed the rise of tension on the line of contact between the two countries’ troops that resulted in casualties from both sides.

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu held a conversation by phone with Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammedyarov on Aug. 2 to express his condolences and discuss what could be done to reduce the tension in the region. Turkey stands firmly with Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute and has kept its border with Armenia closed in protest of Yerevan’s occupation of Azerbaijani territories since the early 1990s.

“These incidents once again showed that an urgent solution must be found for the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, which constitutes the greatest obstacle to the peace, stability and cooperation in the South Caucasus. The fact that this issue remains unresolved does not serve the interest of any party; it hampers the creation of an environment that will allow for good neighborly relations and cooperation between the countries in the region,” read the statement.

“Turkey, as a neighboring country to the region and a member of the Minsk Group, will continue its efforts with determination for a full and comprehensive normalization in the region, including the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.”