Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan left Istanbul for Azerbaijan on Wednesday. Erdogan will discuss his proposal of a forming a Caucasian union with Azerbaijani President Aliyev.

Erdogan leaves for Azerbaijan - 20 / 08 / 2008 13:47

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan left Istanbul for Azerbaijan on Wednesday.

Erdogan will assess the recent developments in the region and discuss his proposal of a forming a Caucasian union with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

Holding a press conference at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport prior to his departure, Erdogan said that he would discuss Caucasus stability & cooperation platform which was a project he proposed to find solution to the problems in the region.

The recent situation in Georgia showed the necessity to restore peace, stability and security in Caucasus, Erdogan said.

"Turkey also has a vital interest in this issue. I believe that implementation of a mechanism which contributes to the common interests of the region is important," he said.

Regarding his visits to Moscow and Tbilisi, Erdogan said that he conveyed his views to officials that Caucasus stability & cooperation platform was a project that could fully settle sustainable peace, security and stability.

Erdogan said that both Russian and Georgian officials told him that they could take part in such a platform.

Upon a question, Erdogan said that they would also hold meetings with Armenian officials regarding Caucasus stability & cooperation platform.

He added that Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan would also meet with the Russian foreign minister this week regarding the issue.

Erdogan said that after Babacan's meeting, the details of the visit to Armenia would be shaped up.

Regarding energy issue, Erdogan said that initiatives were launched for transfer of natural gas to Turkey from south to eliminate difficulties which sometimes emerged between Turkey and Iran in winter. 

When asked about news reports claiming that two U.S. vessels, which wanted to go to Georgia, were not permitted to pass from the straits, Erdogan said that no application had been made to Turkey so far regarding the issue.

He added that if such an application was made, relevant institutions and the government discussed it in a detailed way, and then made a decision.

Foreign Minister Babacan is accompanying Erdogan.