FM Davutoglu says Azerbaijan's stability highly important for Turkey

Speaking at a joint press conference with his Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov in Baku, Davutoglu said that a strong Azerbaijan implies a strong Turkey. Â

"Our Azerbaijani brothers and sisters should know that, just as in the past, Turkey will be on the side of Azerbaijan in the future," Davutoglu said.

"Our message to regional actors, including Armenia, is very clear. The region must be free of occupations and tensions," Davutoglu noted.

The issue of Upper Karabakh, a region under Armenian occupation, must be resolved as soon as possible within the framework of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, Davutoglu stressed.

"Relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan are excellent. Turkey and Azerbaijan are not merely friends and neighbors. They are also strategic partners," Davutoglu said.

Minister Mammadyarov, for his part, said that Davutoglu and he discussed bilateral issues.

"Our relations are excellent and we are confident that such relations will develop further," Mammadyarov said.

"During our talks today, we discussed issues such as Karabakh, energy, economy, culture and cooperation in other fields. The trade volume between Turkey and Azerbaijan is worth more than $2 billion but we are not satisfied with this number," Mammadyarov said.

Davutoglu also met with the Azerbaijani Prime Minister Artur Rasizade on Tuesday. Davutoglu's meeting with Rasizade was closed to the press.