President Gul On His Visits To Azerbaijan

BAKU/ANKARA - Turkish President Abdullah Gul said that he observed the same honest and sincere desire for a solution both in Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Gul told reporters aboard the plane on his way back from Azerbaijan that the issue of Upper Karabakh and recent developments in the Caucasus were high on agenda of his meeting with President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan.
"In Azerbaijan I saw the same frank, honest and sincere desire for a solution and respect to opponent that I observed in Armenia earlier. There is a significant opportunity to resolve a long-standing problem. We need to seize this opportunity. Also, everyone is aware that if a solution is reached, it paves the way for cooperation in the region," he said.
Gul said that Armenia had the will to withdraw from the occupied Azerbaijani territories in case of a final agreement between the two countries.
"My talks with Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents revealed the need for exchange of views between the two countries on bilateral, regional and international developments. Turkey and Azerbaijan have always advocated that the regional problems should be resolved through peaceful and diplomatic ways," he said.
Gul said that Azerbaijani authorities welcomed his talks in Armenia.
Asked whether a tripartite summit among the presidents of Turkey, Azerbaijan and Armenia would take place during the United Nations General Assembly meetings, Gul said that there was still not a plan for such a tripartite meeting.
(UK-MS)
(DIP)