Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu responded to a written enquiry concerning the Armenian-Turkish protocols Süleyman Yağız, an MP of the Democratic Left Party. The enquiry was actually directed to Prime Minister Recep Erdogan.

According to Haberler, Minister Davutoglu pointed out that long-lasting peace and stability in the South Caucasus, which is of strategic importance for Turkey, is among Turkey’s top foreign policy priorities. The political conflicts in the region are an obstacle to peace and stability, as well as a continuous threat to the security of Turkey and other countries, Davutoglu said.

The Turkish FM stressed that the Armenian-Turkish reconciliation process is insufficient for establishing lasting peace and stability in the region. He stressed the need for concrete steps to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. According to him, favorable development of the Armenian-Turkish process will have a positive impact on the Armenian-Azerbaijani negotiations.

Turkey has never ignored Azerbaijan’s interests in the Armenian-Turkish reconciliation process. Turkey will continue supporting Azerbaijan, as any step backward by the Turkish authorities in this matter is out of the question, Davutoglu said.

As regards the Armenian-Turkish protocols, the Turkish FM pointed out that it was Turkey’s initiative aimed at resolving the regional problems. The Armenian-Turkish reconciliation process did not end with the signing of the protocols, he said. The protocols will take effect only after they have been ratified by the Armenian and Turkish Parliaments.