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Turkey has social and cultural ties with the Caucasian states and has special interest in establishing peace, stability and cooperation in the region. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Turkey recognized immediately the independence of the Caucasian countries without any discrimination.

Turkey's approach to Caucasia is shaped by its desire to establish comprehensive co-operation in the region with the contribution of all three states. In this framework Turkey attaches importance to the consolidation of their independence, to the protection of their territorial integrity and to the realization of their economic potential.

The solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh and Abkhazia conflicts constitutes one of the important and urgent issues for peace and stability in the region. Turkey believes that the peaceful resolution of all conflicts in Caucasian states will contribute to the political stability and economic well-being of these countries and will open up prospects for regional cooperation.

BILATERAL RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND AZERBAIJAN

Azerbaijan declared its independence on August 30, 1991. This declaration was adopted by the Azerbaijani Parliament on October 18, 1991.

Turkey was the first country to recognize the independence of Azerbaijan on November 9, 1991. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on January 14, 1992.

Azerbaijan is an important country with whom Turkey shares common language, culture and history. From the outset, Turkey has been a staunch supporter of Azerbaijan in its efforts to overcome the difficulties it faced as a newly independent state. In doing so, Turkey deems it necessary the consolidation of Azerbaijan's independence, the protection of its territorial integrity and the realization of its economic potential arising from rich natural resources of the Caspian Sea.

Turkish-Azerbaijani relations depending on mutual respect to each other's sovereign equality continue to develop not only in political field but also in all spheres such as economy, trade, education, transportation, telecommunication, agriculture, social security, health, sports, culture, science, tourism etc. The legal framework of these relations is shaped by more than 100 bilateral agreements signed between the two countries between 1991-1999. The high-level contacts and mutual visits on all levels are regularly and frequently realized.

THE NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT

The origin of the current conflict in Nagorno Karabakh dates back to 1988. When the Soviet Union began to disintegrate in the late 1980's, the Supreme Soviet of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region appealed in February 1988 to the Supreme Soviets of Azerbaijan, Armenia and the USSR government to approve its decision to secede from Azerbaijan and to join Armenia. Azerbaijan Supreme Soviet rejected this resolution and the related appeal, because it constituted an illegal act according to the Constitution of the Soviet Union which stated that borders of the Union Republics could not be changed without its consent. In July 1988, the Supreme Soviet of the USSR also rejected the decision of the Armenian Supreme Soviet demanding incorporation of Nagorno Karabakh into the Armenian Republic and in January 1989 imposed direct rule over Nagorno Karabakh.

Following the independence of Azerbaijan and Armenia in 1991 and the withdrawal of Russian troops from Nagorno Karabakh in early 1992, the conflict turned into a full-scale war. By mid-1992, Nagorno Karabakh was cleansed of its non-Armenian population. This was followed by Nagorno Karabakh Armenians, with the support of forces from the Republic of Armenia, forcing out the Azeri population from the Azerbaijaini provinces of Lachin, Kelbajar, Agdam, Fizuli, Jebrayil, Qubatlı and Zengalen. These displaced people have been living in makeshift camps and tents in other parts of Azerbaijan ever since.

The UN Security Council has adopted four resolutions, 822, 853, 874, and 884, urging the immediate withdrawal of all troops from the occupied Azerbaijani territories. Armenia has never complied with these resolutions.

In 1992, a peace process was initiated under the Minsk Group of the OSCE. A cease fire agreement was signed in April 1994 and has largely held notwithstanding a number of violations.

OSCE member-states with the exception of Armenia endorsed the principles reflected in the Chairman's Statement as an appropriate framework for a fair solution. The Chairman's Statement calls for the settlement of the conflict on the basis of; full respect for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and Armenia, the highest degree of autonomy for Nagorno Karabakh within Azerbaijan, guaranteed security for Nagorno Karabakh and its whole population.

Turkey, participating actively in the meetings of the Minsk Group wishes to find a solution to the conflict within the framework of OSCE and believes that elements which are necessary for an acceptable settlement in the issue are the maintenance of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and the withdrawal of the Armenian forces from occupied territories of Azerbaijan and the return of the internally displaced people.

In this framework, Turkey welcomes the bilateral dialogue which has started between Armenia and Azerbaijan at the level of the Presidents and parallel meetings between the Ministers of Defence and Ministers of Foreign Affairs and thinks that these direct talks are very useful.

BILATERAL RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND ARMENIA

Turkey has recognized the independence of Armenia on 16 December 1991 and due to the difficult economic conditions following its independence, Turkey has extended humanitarian aid to Armenia. Turkey has also facilitated the transit of humanitarian aid to Armenia through its territory. Armenia was invited by Turkey to the establishment of Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization as a founding state. However, Turkey has not established diplomatic relations with Armenia because of the Armenian stand on the Azerbaijani-Armenia dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh and occupation of one fifth of Azeri territory by Armenia.

The Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh is a source of serious concern for the Turkish people.

Turkey perceives Nagorno-Karabakh as being an integral part of Azerbaijan and urges for the withdrawal of Armenian troops from occupied Azerbaijani territory. Turkey considers the OSCE Minsk Group process, to which it is a party, to be an important mechanism for finding a peaceful solution to the conflict.

With Armenia, we will aim at normalizing our relationship when the Armenian side makes the definitive choice of making peace with its past, leaving the judgement of history to history itself and takes concrete steps toward the resolution of its conflict with Azerbaijan.

BILATERAL RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND GEORGIA AND THE ABKHAZ CONFLICT

Turkey has recognized the independence of Georgia right after the dissolution of Soviet Union in 1991 and established good neighbourly relations with Georgia. Turkish-Georgian relations have been developing in every field since then.

Turkey attributes great importance to the preservation and maintenance of the existing friendly relations with Georgia and believes in the necessity of further enhancement of bilateral relations in all spheres.

Turkey has been providing economic and political support to Georgia since the establishment of modern Georgia.

Georgia has not yet resolved its internal problems. The conflict in Abkhazia still endangers peace and stability in the country and thus in the entire region. Turkey, right from the outset, has supported the peaceful resolution of the conflict within the internationally recognized borders of Georgia.

Turkey has been contributing to the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) with 5 military observers since its deployment in Georgia on October 21, 1994.

In order to address the sufferings of the people in Georgia as a result of Abkhaz conflict and internal chaos, humanitarian assistance has been supplied by Turkey to both Georgians and Abkhazians.

Turkey also supports sustained dialogue between the two parties, within the framework of the Geneva Process. In this context, Turkey hosted a conference in İstanbul on 7-9 June, 1999 and brought the parties together with a view to contributing to the peace process.