Turkey’s trade minister Hayati Yazici linked normalization of relations with Armenia to concrete steps on Karabakh.

In response to a written inquiry by Kurdish Peace and Democracy party MP Mulkiye Birtane, Minister said Turkey was one of the first states to recognize Armenia’s independence, Anadolu agency reported.

Ankara attaches importance to cooperation in the South Caucasus and in this context signed protocols on establishment of diplomatic relations in 2009, he said.

“By this move, our country is holding on to belief  that the settlement of the Armenia-Turkey relations will be continuous in the South Caucasus, especially in case of taking concrete moves to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,” Minister said, adding that Turkey has always supported the principle of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

He stressed that trade turnover between Armenia and Turkey made $29, 859 in the first three months of 2013.