The President of Turkey stated that Ankara is ready to normalize relations with Yerevan on the basis of respect of territorial integrity and sovereignty. Recep Erdogan said this in Montenegro today, when a journalist asked how Ankara reacts to the latest statement of the Armenian Prime Minister that Yerevan has received positive signals from Turkey and will react accordingly.

In response, Erdogan expressed hope that the activities of the new Armenian government will be useful for the region. “Our region needs a constructive approach. Even if there are disagreements, neighborly relations should be developed on the basis of respect of territorial integrity and sovereignty,” Erdogan said.

Noting that constructive steps should be taken for stable peace and coexistence, Erdogan said. “We can gradually normalize the relations with Armenia, whose new government has stated its readiness to move in this direction. It’s time to make stability and peace permanent and create conditions for economic development and regional cooperation.”

Erdogan stressed that Azerbaijan adheres to a similar position, and insisted that Baku offered to start negotiations with Armenia for a comprehensive peace agreement. “As it was agreed by the trilateral statement from November 9, 2020, by opening up the entire region, new opportunities will arise that will change the South Caucasus. We are ready to work with all sides who want to use this historical opportunity.”

The Turkish President also repeated his proposal on the creation of the platform of six in the region with the participation of three South Caucasus countries, as well as Russia, Turkey and Iran. Georgia publicly rejected it because of the confrontation with Russia.

Erdogan said today that they can cooperate without the participation of Georgia. “The agenda has our proposal to create a ‘Platform of Five’ or a ‘Platform of Six’ involving Turkey, Azerbaijan, Russia, Iran, and Armenia. If such a platform is set up, the region will become more peaceful,” Erdogan said.

The Turkish President stressed that he had discussed and agreed on this issue not only with the President of Azerbaijan, but also with the President of Russia Vladimir Putin. “A new president has come to power in Iran, and we will discuss this with him too,” Erdogan said.