Gul backs dialogue for Nagorno-Karabakh

ANKARA, Turkey, Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Ankara expressed its support for a peaceful resolution to lingering conflict over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh, the Turkish president said.

Ethnic and territorial disputes led to war between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh in the 1990s. Despite a 1994 cease-fire, the fallout from the conflict complicates regional relations.

Yerevan claims ethnic Armenians are deprived of their basic rights in the territory, while Baku argues those solutions lie in annexing Nagorno-Karabakh.

Turkish relations with Armenia, for their part, were complicated by claims of genocide during the Ottoman Empire.

Turkish President Abdullah Gul said in a statement that despite some lingering issues over the territory, the best way forward is through dialogue, Turkey's Today's Zaman reports.

"We hope for a resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute through dialogue and diplomacy, and in this way that peace prevails in the entire Caucasus," he said. "However, no doubt, the first step for this will be ending the occupation (of the territory)."

Ankara has said it plans to open its borders with Armenia in time for a World Cup qualifying match scheduled for Oct. 10 in Armenia. Turkish lawmakers could consider any concession by then.