BAKU - Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc has stated that the Armenian occupation of over 20 percent of Azeri territory is cruelty. ''Despite UN resolutions, Armenia continues to occupy Azeri land,'' said Arinc.
In a meeting with Arinc, the Azeri Parliament's Speaker Murtuz Alasgarov told that the real genocide was committed by the Armenians in 1992 in Khojaly.
After Arinc and Alasgarov's meeting, delegations from the two countries started discussions.
''The relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan are developing every single day. Our relations have reached a strategic level,'' remarked Alasgarov.
''Turkey has helped Azerbaijan in convincing the European Council Parliamentary Assembly to recognize the Armenian occupation of Azeri soil and make a call on the Armenians to withdraw from the occupied territory. We are thankful to Turkey,'' stressed Alasgarov. ''Armenia asserts that the Turks committed a genocide against Armenians. When one looks at history books, he comes to the conclusion that no genocide took place in 1915. The actual genocide was committed by the Armenians in 1992 in Khojaly. More than 1,000 Azeris were shot to death and wounded. Armenians have attempted a massive genocide on the Azeris. The Armenians have forced about 250,000 Azeris to leave their homes after 1980. 20 percent of our land is currently under Armenian occupation. Over one million Azeri citizens have been forced out of their homes and have to live in tents. We hope to resolve our dispute with Armenia peacefully and support the Minsk Peace Process. Karabagh is Azeri territory and we do not accept an Armenian government there. Armenians must immediately withdraw from Azeri territory and Azeri refugees must return to their homes,'' stressed Alasgarov.
Arinc added that the United Nations adopted four resolutions to force Armenian troops out of Azeri territory. ''Yet, Armenia continues to refuse abiding by UN decisions. Turkey supports a solution under the Minsk Process. For the past 10 years, Armenia has been occupying Azeri territory. Turkey will continue to give support to Azerbaijan in all platforms,'' expressed Arinc.
Arinc delivered an invitation to Alasgarov to attend the 85th anniversary of the foundation of the Turkish parliament. ''At the time the Turkish parliament was established, Turkish territory was also under occupation,'' commented Arinc. According to Alasgarov, Azerbaijan attach great importance to the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum natural gas project. On the other hand Arinc has reminded that the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline will be completed within 2005. ''Our countries cooperate in many platforms,'' told Arinc.