Turkish Ambassador Dismisses Reports on Opening Borders with Armenia

Baku Today
June 18 2004

Turkish ambassador to Azerbaijan, Ahmed Unal Chevikoz, on Thursday
dismissed reports that his country is planning to open its gates
to Armenia.

Chevikoz said a report by Turkey’s independent NTV television
on alleged preparations to open the Turkish-Armenian borders is
groundless.

“NTV’s report is not accurate and there have been no change in the
official statements by the Turkish president, prime minister and
foreign minister on opening of the borders,” the ambassador told
reporters.

Chevikoz reiterated the preconditions his country has put forth on the
border issue; Armenians have to stop their propaganda on the so-called
Armenian genocide by Ottoman Turkey, give up territorial claims
against Ankara and withdraw from Azerbaijan’s occupied territories.