At his visits to Moscow and Tbilisi last week after the conflict between Russia and Georgia, Turkey's premier offered to establish a regional platform in the Caucasia to maintain peace and stability.

"It should be a geography-based platform. It must target regional peace and security, and include economic cooperation and energy security," Erdogan told a joint news conference with Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev in Baku.

"It must be based on the principles of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and cover a joint mechanism of problem solving and management," Erdogan said.

Erdogan said Russia and Georgia welcomed his proposal, adding that Turkey was pleased as Azerbaijan joined these countries too.

Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia has carried out Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railroad, Erdogan recalled and said these projects could be described as "historic" and biggest projects of the century.

"Peace and stability are of vital importance for our region. Recent developments could affect or even threat peace, stability and prosperity," he said. "Recent conflict also showed once again how volatile is the security climate in southern Caucasia. We believe that we should concentrate our energy on ending hostility between the peoples of the region."

In his part, Azerbaijani President Aliyev said his country had good relations with Russia and Georgia, and expressed his wish for friendly relations between these two countries.

Following the news conference, Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan left Azerbaijani capital Baku for Turkey.

AA