In Baku, PM Erdogan urges end to Armenian occupation of Azeri territory

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, accompanied by his wife, Emine Erdogan yesterday arrived in Baku, Azerbaijan. After his meeting with Azeri President Ilham Aliyev, Erdogan told a joint press conference that the negotiations on natural gas almost finished and that a deal will be signed during Aliyev’s visit to Istanbul on June 7-8. "One important step taken at the meeting is to establish a high level strategic cooperation council," said Erdogan and added, "As it will be a comprehensive and embracing council it is going to be the most important step that will embrace the future of the two countries." In related news, Erdogan said, "If Yerevan accepts renewed Madrid Criteria and removes its occupying forces from Azeri territory then Azerbaijan will open its borders to Armenia."