Hakan Fidan: 'We are closer to peace and security in region'

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that the region is very close to peace and security, Report informs.

On December 14, Fidan said at a joint press conference with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov that he visited Azerbaijan many times during the past 20 years when he worked in different positions and is happy that he has contributed to the expansion of cooperation between the two countries:

"The relationship between the two brotherly countries is deepening day by day. We are working to fulfill the requirements of the Shusha Declaration signed between the two countries."

The minister believes that the safety of energy and communication lines is one of the priority issues in the world today: "We think that the process of transferring Caspian oil to Turkiye through TANAP and from there to Europe will be expanded."

Fidan emphasized that the 44-day war created new opportunities for the region: "In our opinion, all parties should do their best for peace and stability. Unfortunately, the Armenian diaspora continues provocations against Azerbaijan in Europe. However, we believe that Armenia should work for peace and normalization. We are closer to peace and security in the region than we have ever been. We will continue cooperation with Azerbaijan in this field as well."

The minister noted that there are unshakeable ties between Türkiye and Azerbaijan: "We stood by Azerbaijan's rightful cause and supported Azerbaijan's sovereignty by opposing the occupation. At present, as Türkiye, we think that there is no need for conflict in the region. We are in favor of a further path leading to peace and the continuation of normalization between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The progress in relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia will also affect Turkish-Armenian relations."