No: 259, 2 August 2014

We are following with sorrow and concern the recent clashes that occurred on the line of contact on the occupied Azerbaijani territories which resulted in the loss of many lives. We wish God’s mercy to our Azerbaijani brothers who were martyred in the conflicts and extend our condolences to their families and the brotherly people of Azerbaijan.

These incidents once again showed that an urgent solution must be found to the Nagorno-Karabakh issue which constitutes the greatest obstacle to the peace, stability and cooperation in the South Caucasus.

The fact that this issue remains unresolved does not serve the interest of any party; it hampers the creation of an environment that will allow for good neighborly relations and cooperation between the countries in the region.

Turkey, as a neighboring country to the region and a member of the Minsk Group, will continue with determination its efforts for a full and comprehensive normalization in the region including the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.