ISTANBUL - Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul held a trilateral meeting with Foreign Minister Elmar Memmedyarov of Azerbaijan and Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanyan of Armenia on the occasion of the 17th NATO Summit in Istanbul.
Speaking at the meeting, Gul said, ''peace and stability in the Caucasus region is attracting growing attention internationally. NATO is promoting a new strategic shift towards south Caucasus states.''
He said, ''the European Union (EU) in its newly introduced 'neighborhood' policy has decided to implement a new strategy for South Caucasus states. Therefore, a new strategic region could be shaped by the countries of the region.''
''South Caucasian countries have not yet been able to overcome the problems which are threatening the stability and discouraging economic prosperity in the region. In this second trilateral meeting ways and means of cooperation in achieving stability through constructive ways have been discussed by three ministers. We have also decided to hold further trilateral meetings,'' Gul added.
Armenian Foreign Minister Oskanyan said in his part, ''it was a very constructive discussion and exchange of views. We tried to put the discussions within the context of enlargement of NATO and EU.''
''We think enlargement of these two entities brings Caucasus closer to EU and NATO and that provides a new context for our cooperation. That is why we said that we need to shape a new strategic region for the Caucasus so that we can keep pace with what is going on around us,'' he said.
Noting that the discussions included Upper Karabakh conflict, Oskanyan said that they had also discussed bilateral ties and regional cooperation.
''It was a very useful discussion. Hopefully we will have continuation of this dialogue in the future,'' he said.
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Memmedyarov thanked Gul for continuation of the process.
Stressing that the region had experienced many problems and pains including Azerbaijan-Armenia dispute, Memmedyarov said, ''therefore, we want to do our utmost to provide stability in the region.''
When asked whether or not Turkey-Armenia border would be opened, Oskanyan told reporters, ''that was a subject of my bilateral meeting with Mr. Gul before this trilateral meeting. I am satisfied with this meeting. It is going to be a little bit long process. But again every time we meet things become a bit more promising. However, at this stage I have nothing to report about the opening of the border.''
(UK-AÖ) 28.06.2004