August 29, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev held negotiations with Turkish delegation headed by First Deputy Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlioglu in Baku. The latter conveyed greetings from Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Azeri mass media report. The officials discussed bilateral relations and mutual cooperation on international scene as well as regional issues.

On August 28, Ilham Aliyev had a phone conversation with Turkish Premier Erdogan. The latter told Aliyev of the Armenian-Turkish relations development, while Azerbaijani President spoke of the current situation with Karabakh peace process. Erdogan informed about the visit of Turkish delegation to Baku. Presumably, Turkish officials arrived in Baku to align positions on Armenian issues. Both countries are under the pressure of world opinion in terms of attempts to link Karabakh peace process with Armenian-Turkish rapprochement.

Returning to Turkey, Sinirlioglu said the journalists they had explained Aliyev Turkish position on Armenian-Turkish rapprochement and Karabakh conflict settlement.
It is noteworthy that after the phone conversation, Turkish side had to send a delegation to Baku to clarify thoroughly Turkish position to Azerbaijani President. Obviously, Turkish side is concerned about non-constructive Azerbaijani policy, while Ankara has to settle relations with Armenia based on ‘roadmap’ agreed upon through international mediation.