Turkish FM sees a political will to solve disputes in the Caucasus

"The political will is there, which is probably very important, and then the rest is details to be discussed and the devil is obviously in the details of course," Babacan was quoted by Reuters as saying at the Council on Foreign Relations.

The foreign ministers from all three countries will meet on Friday on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly to discuss the "frozen conflicts".

The war between Russia and Georgia shifted the political landscape in the Caucasus and is prompting Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan, three countries with long-standing disputes, to try to settle their differences, Babacan said.

Russia sent troops deep into Georgian territory during a five-day war last month over Georgia's breakaway, pro-Russian province of South Ossetia. Georgia and Turkey form a key energy transfer link for oil and gas from Azerbaijan.

"The recent crisis in Georgia urged all the countries in the region to re-evaluate policies and also have a stronger feeling of urgency," he added.

Babacan said he had expected an acceleration in the talks after the Oct. 15 Azeri presidential election.

He also said Armenian officials seemed to be sincere in their efforts for solution, and added officials have said they want a solution not only for Armenian-Turkish relations, but also for Azerbaijani-Armenian relations.

A warmer period began between Turkey and Armenia, who for more than a decade have not had any diplomatic relations, after Turkish President Abdullah Gul paid a landmark visit to Armenia early September.

Turkey hopes this period would lead to the normalization of the relations. Turkey and Armenia do not have diplomatic relations because of Armenia's aggression against Azerbaijan.

The conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia began in 1988 due to Armenian territorial claims against Azerbaijan.

Since 1992, Armenian Armed Forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and its seven surrounding districts. Some 10 percent of the Azeri population was displaced due to a series of bloody clashes both between and within the two neighboring countries.

In 1994, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement at which time the active hostilities ended. The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group are currently holding peaceful negotiations.

MEETING WITH RICE
Babacan and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Monday discussed the conflict between Georgia and Russia on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly.

"Turkey is a terrific ally, including in this most recent crisis," Rice said before meeting with Babacan at a luxury hotel in New York.Â

"We've been in touch several times, as I remember, with this situation because Turkey is a very important power force in the Caucasus and is trying to bring about a more peaceful Caucasus," Rice was quoted by AFP as saying. Â

Turkey, which controls the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits, approved in August the passage of U.S. warships through the Black Sea that brought humanitarian supplies to Georgia, following the brief war.

The two also discussed the Caucasus Cooperation and Stability Platform, proposed by Turkey, during their meeting, sources told the Anatolian Agency.

Turkey had proposed the formation of Caucasian alliance to help the resolution of conflicts through dialogue. Turkey, Russia, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan are planned to take part in this new formation.

Ankara has intensified its diplomatic efforts for the Caucasus region as well as the Middle East since the Georgia-Russia war in August.

"Babacan and Rice discussed Turkish-U.S. relations, cooperation against the terrorist organization PKK and the recent developments in the Caucasus," Burak Ozugergin, spokesman of the Turkish Foreign Ministry, told the Anatolian Agency.

The recent visit of Gul to Armenia also came up during Babacan's meeting with Rice, Ozugergin said.

Babacan and Rice did not discuss Turkey's candidacy for a non-permanent membership in the U.N. Security Council for the term 2009-2010, the state-run news agency reported.

Babacan's meeting with Rice lasted around 40 minutes.

Babacan will continue to hold talks in New York where he is attending the 63rd session of the U.N. General Assembly.