Türkiye has officially welcomed the decision to close the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Process and its related structures, describing it as a landmark step toward lasting peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

In a press release issued on Monday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry praised the OSCE Ministerial Council’s September 1 decision, noting that the development was made possible through the joint efforts of Baku and Yerevan.

“This historic decision, made possible through the joint efforts of Azerbaijan and Armenia, constitutes an important milestone in the peace process between the two countries,” the ministry stated.

The Minsk Group, created in 1992, had long sought to mediate the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh but faced criticism for its limited effectiveness. With the 2020 Second Karabakh War and subsequent shifts in the regional balance, Baku and Yerevan have increasingly turned to direct negotiations, supported by regional actors such as Türkiye.

Ankara has consistently backed Azerbaijan in its efforts to secure sovereignty over Karabakh and has called for peace frameworks based on regional ownership rather than international mediation.

Diplomatic observers view the closure of the Minsk Process as a symbolic end to decades of externally mediated negotiations, paving the way for a new phase in bilateral talks and regional cooperation.

Türkiye reiterated its readiness to continue supporting reconciliation between Azerbaijan and Armenia and emphasized its commitment to regional stability and prosperity in the South Caucasus. (ILKHA)