Azeri president hopes to resolve Karabakh issue with Turkey's backing

The Nagorno Karabakh conflict has always been the main topic of discussions between Ankara and Baku, Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev said in Istanbul as he delivered a speech after signing an agreement on the establishment of the Supreme Council for Strategic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkey, reported by TRT1 TV.

"And today, an extensive exchange of views was conducted on this topic. Turkey has always supported the fair position of Azerbaijan, made efforts in various forms for the restoration of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity. The talks must yield a result and the result is that the internationally recognized territorial integrity of Azerbaijan must be restored. … Of course, this issue will always be on the agenda in the relations of Azerbaijan and Turkey," said he.

Further Mr Aliyev said strengthening of Turkey as a result of Erdogan's efforts means strengthening of Azerbaijan.

"Today's Turkey is not the one that existed ten years ago. Turkey is a great and strong country; there is consent between the people and government. We are brothers; this brotherhood exists in our blood and shifts from generation to generation. It will be forever. Therefore, strengthening of Turkey is a positive factor in resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The Turkish government pursues an active policy in resolving the conflict. I am sure this will yield positive results and Azerbaijan's territorial integrity will be restored," said Aliyev.