Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
May 3 2004
AMBASSADOR OF AZERBAIJAN HOLDS NEWS CONFERENCE IN ANKARA
[May 03, 2004, 17:19:06]
Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Turkey Mammad Aliyev held a news conference
for the journalists of Azerbaijan and Turkey at the center of culture
of Azerbaijan in Ankara, 1 May, correspondent of AzerTAj reported.
Making statement, Ambassador Aliyev clarified the information
distributed by some media of Turkey, on participation of Azerbaijan MPs
in voting related to adoption by the Council of Europe Parliamentary
Assembly resolution on the Cyprus question. He noted that the
information was misrepresented. Ministry of foreign affairs of
Azerbaijan, members of delegation, our embassy in Turkey and permanent
representation in Strasbourg was not notified on discussion at PACE of
the Cyprus question. In voting, as expected, should take part 300
deputies. However, as a result of weak coordination work, there were
only 70 people, and 45 of them voted against.
In such situation, participation of our delegation in voting would not
have impact on the results.
Azerbaijan always supported position of the Turks of Northern Cyprus,
stressed significance of ensuring their security and recognition of
their rights. Paying attention that there were several deputies of
Turkey in the hall, the Ambassador connected this with weak
coordination work. He informed that he connected with deputy prime
minister and foreign minister of Turkey Abdullah Gul that as a result
of weak organization, the Azerbaijan delegation was not notified on the
item.
Ambassador answering questions of the journalists underlined that there
is no parallel between the Cyprus questions and the
Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorny Karabakh conflict. Emphasizing that the
strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Turkey develops quickly,
evidence to which is the fruitful visit of Azerbaijan President to
Ankara, Mammad Aliyev said that some forces are concerned with it.
The Ambassador noted that despite the statement of officials of Turkey,
in the Turkish press periodically appear the topic of opening of
borders between Turkey and Armenia, which is also for the interests of
those forces.