“Armenia wants to retain status quo in Karabakh issue, but what it will give to them? Nothing! It is occupying Azerbaijani lands for 17 years, and in 170 years it will remain an occupier and will not clear itself,” Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told Turkish TRT channel, Zaman daily reports.

Davutoglu has assumed there are Armenians who believe Karabakh’s status quo is natural, and added: “this is occupation and violation of international law.” He stressed Turkey’s involvement in Armenian-Azerbaijani talks is crucial. Turkey maintains relations with all ethnic communities in Caucasian region and will try to prevent ethnic or political clashes — he concluded.

Having repeated his statement on “Armenia’s 17-years old occupation of Azerbaijani territories,” Davutoglu stated that the conflict may last over 170 years and “the only possible solution of Karabakh conflict is the end of Azerbaijani territories occupation.”

Davutoglu said Karabakh’s current status is inexpedient for Turkey and harms Armenian-Turkish and Armenian-Azerbaijani relations. He pointed out that Turkey’s ultimate goal in South Caucasus is “liberation of occupied lands and establishment of decent relations with Armenia.”