Four Turkish political parties condemn Armenia following skirmishes with Azerbaijan

Duvar English

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the opposition right-wing Good Party have released a joint statement condemning the Republic of Armenia following skirmishes between troops on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border that resulted in the deaths of at least 11 Azerbaijani soldiers. 

“We fiercely condemn the attack carried out by Armenia's armed forces against the Tovuz region of Azerbaijan. Armenia is on the wrong path. These attacks constitute a new example of Armenia’s hostile stance, which, for years, has occupied the Azerbaijani territory of Upper Karabakh as well as its surrounding regions. The [attacks] are the greatest obstacle to permanent peace and stability in the South Caucasus, ” the joint statement read. 

Turkey closed its borders with Armenia after the latter fought against Azerbaijan to seize the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh in 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Since then, deadly clashes at the border between the two sides have occurred repeatedly. 

The pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party (HDP) declined to sign the join statement, saying that peace and diplomacy must remain the primary methods in solving conflicts. 

“In order to ensure peace and end the wars and conflicts that have been ongoing in the Caucasus since the end of the Cold War, all neighboring countries including Turkey should promote dialogue and negotiation,” the HDP said.