We are still waiting for this hand of peace to be shaken: Turkish Defense Minister

Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar participated in the high-level observation day of the "Anatolian Eagle-2023" training exercises held from May 2-12 at the command of the 3rd main jet base in Konya. This was reported by Ermenihaber.am.

The exercises taking place in Turkey included elements from Azerbaijan, the UAE, England, Qatar, Pakistan, NATO, and the Turkish Air and Naval Forces. The United States, Australia, Ethiopia, Morocco, France, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, North Macedonia, Libya, Malaysia, and Oman participated as observers.

The Azerbaijani Defense Minister Z. Hasanov also attended the high-level observation day.

Akar delivered a speech where he emphasized that a hand of peace has been offered to Armenia and stated: "Azerbaijan and Turkey extended one united hand of peace to Armenia. We are still waiting for this hand of peace to be shaken.

"We desire peace. If this happens, we—Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia—will enter peace, and afterwards Georgia and Iran will join, Russia will join, creating a stable and peaceful environment in the Caucasus. This is beneficial for everyone. We are trying to explain this."

Akar made unfounded claims suggesting that Armenia is not an independent country and moves according to the directives of others: "We believe that if they move according to the conditions and geography of this region, it will be much more beneficial for the region and for them, too," he said.