BAKU, Azerbaijan (AA) – Turkey’s foreign minister on Tuesday dismissed Russian remarks alleging Turkey helped fuel a recent escalation in fighting in occupied Karabakh.
Earlier this month, Russian Premier Dmitry Medvedev said a “Turkish factor” had played a part in renewed fighting between Turkey’s ally Azerbaijan and ethnic Armenian forces in the enclave.
According to the Azerbaijan Defense Ministry, more than 270 military personnel were killed in early April in the worst breach of a 1994 treaty between the sides.
“I am not in a position to answer the Russian prime minister,” Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said. “We find such claims unwarranted and baseless.”
Referring to a fragile peace between the two sides, he added: “Armenia violated the cease-fire because they don’t want a political solution. On the other hand, Azerbaijan has declared a one-sided truce and shown once more that they want a peaceful and diplomatic resolution.
“Therefore, nobody should lend credence to this negative attitude of Armenia. Our stance on this issue is clear. We want a diplomatic resolution. And as always, we will continue to be by Azerbaijan’s side.”
Cavusoglu, speaking at a UN meeting in Azerbaijan capital Baku, called on the Minsk group of states overseeing the 1994 peace agreement between Azerbaijan and ethnic Armenian separatists to settle the issue as soon as possible.
Early Tuesday, Armenian separatist forces shelled Azerbaijan territory, the Azerbaijani military said, adding that Azerbaijani forces responded against military targets.
