World Bulletin/News Desk

Turkey has called for an immediate resolution to the longstanding Nagorno-Karabakh issue one day after 12 Azerbaijani soldiers were killed during a clash on Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

The Foreign Ministry issued a written statement on Saturday in which it said Turkey was monitoring the recent border developments between Armenia and Azerbaijan with sorrow and concern.

"We offer condolences to the martyrs' families and the Azerbaijani nation," said the statement. 

It also said the deadlock in the Nagorno-Karabakh issue did not serve to both sides' interests and barred efforts to create an environment that would enable good neighborhood and cooperation between the two countries.

"These incidents have revealed the urgent need for resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, which set the biggest obstacle for peace, stability and cooperation in Southern Caucasus," the statement added.

12 soldiers from the Azerbaijani army have been killed in a clash on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border on Friday.

The Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense said the clash erupted after Armenian reconnaissance troops were spotted while attempting to reach Azerbaijani positions in the towns of Aghdam and Terter.

Turkey concerned over East Turkestan violence

In another statement issued on Saturday, the Foreign Ministry called on China to launch a transparent investigation into the recent reports of violence in Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (East Turkestan).

The ministry expressed "deep concern" over the reports that the incidents that happened on July 28 left scores of people dead or wounded.

The death of "dozens" of people were reported after a mob attacked a police station and government offices in northwest China's Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region on July 28.

Turkish foreign ministry said there were reports that the majority of the dead and wounded were Uighurs.

"We wish that peace and stability will prevail in the region. In this context, it is essential that the root causes of these incidents will be removed and that the cultural and religious rights of Uighurs will be guaranteed," the ministry said.