Hurriyet Daily News
December 11, 2022

Türkiye calls on Russia to push YPG off its borders

Türkiye has reiterated its demand from Russia to push the YPG terrorist organization 30 kilometers away from its borders in line with a 2019-dated bilateral agreement amid its vows to launch a new cross-border offensive against the terrorist presence.

The message was conveyed by both President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to Russian President Vladimir Putin over the phone and Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Önal to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin during his two-day-long political consultations over the weekend.

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The agreement in 2019 obliges Russia to push the YPG terrorists off 30 kilometers from the Turkish border, particularly those in Tal Rifat and Manbij areas. The agreement has not yet been fulfilled by Russia.

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Anadolu Agency
December 11, 2022

Azerbaijan sends diplomatic note to Russia over ‘illegal exploitation’ of resources in Karabakh

Azerbaijan on Sunday sent a diplomatic note to Russia concerning “illegal exploitation” of natural resources in the liberated Karabakh, as its officials were prevented from entering the region a day before.

The Foreign Ministry said Baku repeatedly appealed to the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in the region to prevent “illegal exploitation” of natural resources and eliminate its negative impact on the environment, but to no avail.

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“In accordance with the agreement reached, it was once again called upon to ensure Azerbaijan’s representatives’ unhindered access to the mentioned mines.”

The communique noted that negotiations were held between the two sides and an agreement reached on Saturday, but still officials from Baku were prevented from visiting the area.

“Due to the fact that the Russian peacekeeping contingent did not take any action, a pre-planned action by local residents prevented the visit,” it said.

The statement added that the note emphasized it is “unacceptable to obstruct such a trip or to impose any conditions,” stressing on the need for the Russian peacekeeping contingent to “strictly observe the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan in all its activities” in accordance with the peace agreement signed between Azerbaijan and Armenia in November 2020.