Turkish president says he can get COVID-19 vaccine

ANKARA

In addition to China, Turkey is in contact with Russia on COVID-19 vaccine, the Turkish president said on Friday, adding he can be vaccinated to set an example for the nation.

“We have [ongoing] talks with Russia, as well as China. On this issue, I personally have no problem with being vaccinated,” President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters following Friday prayers in the Turkish metropolitan city of Istanbul.

Erdogan said it was a step which should be taken to set an example for the nation, and noted that when it comes to health, whatever needed has to be done.

On a so-called French resolution recognizing Nagorno-Karabakh as an independent state, Erdogan said France has lost its mediator role within the OSCE Minsk group.

“[French President Emmanuel] Macron is a trouble for France. With Macron, France is going through a very dangerous time. I hope that France will get rid of the Macron trouble as soon as possible,” Erdogan said.

He also recalled Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s Dec. 1 remarks against the French resolution, which said: "If France wants this so much, it can give [the southern French region of] Marseille to Armenians".

“I give the same advice [to France],” Erdogan noted, adding: “As simple as that.”

​​​​​Erdogan to visit Azerbaijan on Tuesday

He reiterated that Karabakh belongs to Azerbaijan, and had been under Armenia's occupation for 28 years.

Erdogan said he will pay a visit to Azerbaijan together with the first lady on Tuesday to attend ceremonies.

Azerbaijan is gearing up for a military parade at the Azadliq (Independence) Square in the capital Baku. Armored vehicles and other weapons captured from the Armenian army will be displayed.

An official announcement regarding the date of the ceremony, however, has not yet been made.

Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as the Upper Karabakh, is a territory recognized as part of Azerbaijan.

New clashes in the territory erupted on Sept. 27 and ended with a Russian-brokered truce six weeks later, seen as a victory for Azerbaijan.