BAKU. June 14 (Interfax) - Progress in a peace process between Baku and Yerevan would also significantly contribute to a normalization in relations between Turkey and Armenia, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.
"The door to peace in the region, which has seen a lot of grief, has been slightly opened. Therefore, the parties should not miss this chance and act responsibly," Erdogan told journalists following a visit to Azerbaijan.
Erdogan described Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's recent visit to Ankara as an important step. "By responding positively to Turkey's invitation, Pashinyan overcame quite a lot of obstacles and opposition attitudes in his country. I had a chance to have a brief conversation with him during the ceremony. I thanked him for coming to Turkey," he said.
Erdogan welcomed Pashinyan's words recognizing Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, including the Karabakh region. "However, as I've said before, there is some negative sentiment against Pashinyan in Armenia. And this is a very, very important factor. Pashinyan has not stepped back for now," he said.