Azerbaijan asks for Turkey's support

President Aliyev asked Ankara for support for the settlement of the Garabagh conflict during his five-day official visit to Turkey. The visit started on Monday on the invitation of the president of Turkey Ahmet Necdet Sezer.

President Aliyev stated that the Garabagh conflict is the core issue on the agenda of his visit: "What is the most important for us is to succeed in solution to the existing problems in the Caucasus. It is of great significance for both Azerbaijan and Turkey and the entire region. It has been 12 years since Armenia unleashed a war against Azerbaijan. Nevertheless, peace talks are underway and at this crucial stage we need consultations and discussions with Turkey in order not to derail from the negotiated solution to the dispute. This will be in the focus of all our meetings here in Turkey. We are determined to obtain necessary support and assistance on the part of Turkey in the issue."

9 agreements signed

President Aliyev was welcomed in an official ceremony at the Esenboga airport of Ankara by Turkish state minister for Turkic nations Abdulhaliq Cay. Then, President Aliyev was escorted to the Cankaya residence, where he met with Turkish President Sezer. The two focused on issues pertaining to the solution to the Garabagh conflict.

Following the meeting, President Sezer said the Garabagh dispute is the problem Turkey is eagerly watching and deeply concerned with.

On the same day, the Azeri and Turkish Presidents signed 9 bilateral agreements, including a key document to sell Azeri gas from the Shah Daniz field in the Azeri sector of the Caspian to Turkey. According to the agreement, Turkey will buy several billion cubic meters of Azeri gas each year starting in 2004.

President’s meetings

As part of the visit, President Aliyev met with the Turkish prime-minister Bulent Ecevit Monday.

On the next day, President Aliyev met with the chief of the general staff of the Turkish armed forces Hussein Kivrikoglu.

The two reportedly focused on bilateral military relations and the position Turkey will take in case the war in Garabagh renews. The head of state held meetings with vice-premiers Devlet Bahceli and Mesut Yilmaz, foreign minister Ismail Cem, parliament speaker Ismet Izghi and the former president of Turkey Suleyman Demirel. Also on Tuesday, President Aliyev addressed the Turkish parliament.

The Presidents of Turkey and Azerbaijan are expected to fly to Istanbul to take part in a conference of military academies on Wednesday.

No meetings are anticipated on Thursday, as President Aliyev is to undergo medical examination at Turkey's Gulhane Medical Academy, Turkish newspapers reported.

On Friday, President Aliyev will attend a ceremony at Ankara University, where he is to be awarded the title of honorary professor.

Before departure at Bina Airport, the President said: "Turkey has repeatedly stated that it won't forge any relations with Armenia, until the latter pulls back from all the occupied lands of Azerbaijan. I hope the stance will be reaffirmed this time too".

Asked if Azerbaijan could take the dispute to a timeless solution mode, President Aliyev said: "It is due to the non-constructive position taken by Armenia that we haven't arrived at any agreement yet. As far as international organizations are concerned, they are either unable or unwilling to make Armenia take real position".

Commenting on the meditation of Iran in peace talks, the President reminded that the Azeri town of Shusha was occupied in 1992, when Iran was brokering negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.