Turkey calls for four-way talks on Karabakh with Russia

Ankara called Tuesday for four-way talks between Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Turkey to try to solve a conflict in the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh where a ceasefire is not being respected.

Ibrahim Kalin, head of communications of the Turkish presidency, made the call in a televised interview after more than two weeks of fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the region left hundreds dead.

The Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, overwhelmingly populated by Armenians, has been controlled by Armenians since breaking away in what prompted a 1990s war as the Soviet Union fell.

But Azerbaijan has never hidden its desire to win back control and no state has ever recognised Nagorno-Karabakh's declaration of independence.

"Since Russia is on Armenia's side and we, Turkey, support Azerbaijan, let's meet as a foursome to discuss resolving these problems," Kalin said.

"If the Minsk Group hasn't been able to find a solution for more than 30 years, it's time to find a new mechanism," he added in reference to a grouping chaired by France, Russia and the US set up to find a resolution to the conflict.

A ceasefire negotiated in Moscow over the latest flare-up in fighting was due to come into force on Saturday, but never saw the light of day.



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