Turkey’s Erdogan believes Azerbaijan-Armenia could reach lasting peace

(Reuters) – Turkey believes a comprehensive peace is possible between Armenia and Azerbaijan, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday after the two countries resumed fighting again this month.

“We believe that it is possible to sign a comprehensive peace agreement between the two countries as soon as possible,” Erdogan said, speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed to a ceasefire last week, ending two days of violence linked to a decades-old dispute between the former Soviet states over the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The fighting, which each side blamed on the other, left more than 170 soldiers dead and threatened to drag Turkey, Azerbaijan’s key backer, and Armenia ally Russia into a wider conflict at a time of already high geopolitical tensions.

The fighting, from Sept. 12-14, was the deadliest since a six-week war in 2020 that left thousands dead and saw Azerbaijan make significant territorial gains in and around Nagorno-Karabakh.

In his speech, Erdogan also said reopening of transport links in the region will contribute to the welfare of all parties.

“Those who pursue a show of power in the region, despite their political and military level never equivalent to our country, are making a fool of themselves,” he added.

(Reporting by Ezgi Erkoyun and Ali Kucukgocmen; Editing by Ece Toksabay and Jonathan Oatis)