Turkish, Azerbaijani, Georgian FMs gather for tripartite meeting

During the meeting, the ministers discussed bilateral and regional issues, increasing cooperation between the countries and regional stability and security. The parties also exchanged views on regional cooperation on the issues of common interest to all three countries.

The statement made by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs last Tuesday said, “ We believe that the trilateral dialogue mechanism that was established among the ministers of foreign affairs of Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia, under the initiative of Turkey and based on the idea of regional ownership, will contribute to the development of a sense of cooperation in all fields for mutual benefit by discussing the bilateral and regional issues around a table, and to the strengthening of regional stability and security through creating an environment where the sustainable regional cooperation will prevail, which Turkey sincerely wishes to see take root in the South Caucasus.”

The meeting coincided with increasing tension along the Azerbaijani-Armenian border on Friday.

The death toll in the border clashes has increased to nine since Tuesday. As a result of exchanges of gunfire that started on Tuesday, five soldiers from the Azerbaijani side and three soldiers from among the Armenian troops were killed in clashes.

NATO also responded to the escalating tension along the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, expressing its regret about the deadly border clash. “We hope the situation will not lead to instability in the region,” said William Lahue, the alliance’s liaison officer for the South Caucasus.