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Turkey on Friday welcomed an agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan to take confidence-building measures and stated a desire for the prompt signing of a peace agreement between the two countries, Anadolu Agency reported.

“We support the decision to continue negotiations for the adoption of additional confidence-building measures," a Turkish Foreign Ministry statement said.

"We wish for the prompt signing of the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which will constitute one of the most crucial developments for the establishment of permanent peace and stability in the South Caucasus," it added.

Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed on Thursday to exchange prisoners of war and work toward signing a peace treaty.

The two countries said in a joint statement they "share the view that there is a historic chance to achieve a long-awaited peace." They said they intend "to normalize relations and to reach the peace treaty on the basis of respect for the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Azerbaijan said it would release 32 Armenian prisoners of war in exchange for the release of two Azerbaijani soldiers detained in Armenia.