Hopes for 2nd path
Not only was the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process discussed during the Sargsyan-Erdogan meeting, but it was the pivot of discussions.
"As always, that is the key issue," Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmed Davutoghlu who also participated in the meeting, told the Azerbaijani APA news agency.
"Our prime minister is very interested in explaining the delicacies of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to the Armenian president. We believe Azerbaijan is an inextricable part of the solution to issues in the Caucasus region and there can be no discussion on excluding Azerbaijan from the process. Turkey will not allow that. I would like to reiterate that along with the normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations, one of the main targets of the Protocols signed in Zurich is the liberation of lands of Azerbaijan," said the Turkish Foreign Minister.
As for pressures that different political scientists were expected from the US, Davutoghlu said: "We will maintain the prospect for peace, but we will not let anyone pressure Turkey regarding issues where we can't make compromises. We hope our message has been clear for our partners. The international community must understand that there can't be unilateral peace in the South Caucasus."
Ahmed Davutoghlu underlined that the reconciliation of Armenia and Turkey is not sufficient for peace and stability in the South Caucasus. "We need political will and courage. We all want to forget the wounds of the past and must combine efforts to create a bright future for the South Caucasus. The first step was the signing of the Turkey-Armenia Protocols on October 10 in Zurich, but the decision of the RA Constitutional Court on making changes to the Protocols impeded the ratification."
Davutoghlu also said there shouldn't be hidden legal issues that impede solidarity and stability. "As our prime minister mentioned, we are trying to explain to the US administration that it is impossible to reach solidarity in the region without the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict."
On the threshold of April 24, Davutoghlu said: "Every spring we wait with horror for the crisis in relations between Turkey and the US. The US has two options: either minimize all achievements of Turkey and Armenia, especially in the South Caucasus, or contribute to the development of peace in the region. I think they will choose the second path."
