Turkey not to open borders until Armenia pulls out of Azeri lands – envoy

Bilik Dunyasi news agency, Baku
29 Mar 04

The importance of Azerbaijani-Turkish relations is much greater than
the prospect of opening the border between Turkey and Armenia, Turkish
ambassador to Azerbaijan Unal Cevikoz has said, commenting on the
“open borders” policy in the South Caucasus lobbied by Europe and the
USA.

“Turkish-Azerbaijani relations come first and there is no room for
hesitation in this,” the ambassador said.

The Turkish prime minister and foreign minister have repeatedly stated
the conditions which Ankara believes must be met before normal
relations between Turkey and Armenia can be established, the diplomat
added. Namely, Turkey demands that Armenia vacate occupied Azerbaijani
territories and ensure a safe transport corridor between Naxcivan and
the rest of Azerbaijan.