Erdogan: A cooperation forum for the Caucasus region may open a new page with Armenia

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that he discussed with the President of Azerbaijan in Baku the establishment of a cooperation forum for the Caucasus region, indicating that this could help open a new page in relations with Armenia if Yerevan took ” positive steps “.

NTV quoted Erdogan telling reporters during his return trip from Baku that the proposed regional forum between Turkey, Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia would provide an opportunity for everyone to make progress.

He noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin had expressed his enthusiasm for implementing the idea.

Erdogan said: “If Armenia joins that process and takes positive steps, a new page can also be opened in Turkey’s relations with Armenia. As new opportunities arise, there is no doubt that Armenia’s achievements in this regard will also increase. dramatically. Armenia will benefit more from that. ”

“If Armenia positively develops this process, we will open our closed borders to it. Our only concern is to participate in regional peace,” he added.

Erdogan also indicated that Turkey would play an “important role” in rebuilding the areas that Azerbaijan controlled after the recent conflict. He said he agreed with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to move forward in this framework within a year.