Turkey's Erdoğan to get COVID-19 vaccine to set an example for citizens

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 Erdoğan told reporters following Friday prayers in the Turkish metropolitan city of Istanbul.

Erdoğan said it was a step which should be taken to set an example for the citizens, 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, Erdoğan said France has lost its mediator role within the OSCE Minsk group.

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]," Erdoğan noted, adding: "As simple as that."

ERDOĞAN TO VISIT AZERBAIJAN ON TUESDAY

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

Erdoğan 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.