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Turkey’s President Abdullah Gul is due to leave for Baku today, according to Ermenihaber. President Gul told a news conference at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport prior to his departure for Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh dispute should be settled peacefully on the basis of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.

President Gul said, "during the talks in Baku, I will underline it is one of our priorities to prevail peace, stability and prosperity in southern Caucasus. In this context, Karabakh dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia should be resolved peacefully on the basis of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity. We attach importance to efforts to ensure peace in Azerbaijan since we know that frozen conflicts can suddenly turn into serious regional matters."

He said issues on the bilateral relations as well as global and regional developments will be talked on during the meetings.

"Energy is one the areas improving Turkey-Azerbaijan relations and turning these relations into a strategic cooperation. Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum natural gas pipeline are the most important parts of the cooperation between the two countries. These two projects also contribute to global energy safety and regional prosperity and stability," he said.

"Another project to improve our commercial relations is Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line. The project which began in 2007 is expected to conclude in 2012," Gul said.

During the 2-day visit, Gul will be accompanied with Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Energy Minister Taner Yildiz, MPs, media representatives.