Türkiye reiterates support for Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said that Ankara supports the ongoing engagements between Armenia and Azerbaijan and will continue to contribute to the establishment of lasting peace in the region.

Erdoğan made the remarks in a speech at the Summit of the Organization of Turkic States, addressing prospects for peace and regional cooperation in the South Caucasus, according to the Turkish Anadolu news agency.

“The South Caucasus, where peace and stability will prevail, will create important opportunities not only for the countries of the region but also for the entire Turkic world. We support the contacts our Azerbaijani brothers are conducting with Armenia and reaffirm that we will continue to contribute, to the best of our ability, to the establishment of lasting peace,” Erdoğan said.

The Turkish president emphasized that regional conflicts benefit no party and have serious consequences for the global economy, trade and energy markets.

Addressing the recent resurgence of tensions surrounding Iran, Erdoğan expressed hope that they would be resolved through diplomacy rather than militarily. 

He also spoke about the Palestinian issue, stressing that Turkic states should make greater efforts to achieve a just settlement.

Erdoğan underscored the importance of delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza and launching reconstruction efforts as soon as possible. He reaffirmed Türkiye’s support for the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The Turkish president also called on Turkic states to deepen economic and transport cooperation while taking into account the national interests and sensitivities of member states.

According to Erdoğan, the Turkic world can be transformed into a major trade, transport and energy hub stretching from east to west. In this context, he attached strategic importance to the Middle Corridor, saying that it could play an important role in the development of international trade in the future.