Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
March 30 2005
Turkey Armenia Borders cannot be opened till Armenia Takes Positive
Steps
Turkish Naval Forces Commander Admiral Ozden Ornek said that further
development of cooperation between Turkish and Azerbaijani naval
forces will be discussed during his visit to Azerbaijan. Admiral
Ornek told reporters at Baku’s Haydar Aliyev Airport, ”we have a
comprehensive cooperation with Azerbaijani Naval Forces. We are
trying to provide every type of support to Azerbaijani Naval
Forces.”
When asked whether security of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline (BTC)
will be discussed during his meetings, Admiral Ornek said, ”we will
take up this issue. Turkey will protect Ceyhan part and Azerbaijani
Naval Forces will protect other end of the pipeline.”
`ONE NATION, TWO STATES’
Commander of Turkish Naval Forces, Fleet’s Admiral Ozden Ornek was
cordially welcomed in the Defense Ministry where was lined up a Guard
of Honor. In the meeting, the Minister, Colonel-General Safar Abiyev
stated that the relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey are high
level in all spheres. Turkey was the first state to recognize
sovereignty of Azerbaijan that regained it. It cannot be otherwise.
We are `one nation, two states’ and have common history, language and
religion. Versatile relations of the fraternal countries cannot be
compared with relations to other countries.
Noting that Turkey supports Azerbaijan in all fields, including in
the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, integration of the
country to the European structures and in the activity in the frame
of NATO PfP program, Mr. Abiyev said the relations between Azerbaijan
and NATO are developing. Last year, President Ilham Aliyev has
presented the Plan of Activity on Individual Partnership in the frame
of NATO’s PfP program to the Secretary General of NATO. Annually,
representatives of the Armed Forces of the Azerbaijan Republic attend
over 300 actions of this structure.
Noting that the military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkey is
at high level, Safar Abiyev said that representatives of the armed
forces of the brotherly countries cooperate in Kosovo and Afghanistan
implementing their international humanitarian mission. Cooperation
between the naval Forces develop day by day, and the Turkish side
renders assistance and in this direction. The defense minister of
Azerbaijan thanked to the government of Turkey and management of the
Armed Forces of Turkey.
Commander of Turkish Naval Forces, Fleet’s Admiral Ozden Ornek
expressed pleasure to visit Baku, stating that the goal of the visit
is to expand ties between the Turkish Naval Forces and Azerbaijan
Navy. Because, the beginning of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan MEP is in
Azerbaijan while the end is in Turkey. And we should secure this
pipeline of friendship and fraternity.
BAKU-TBILISI-ERZURUM GAS PIPELINE
Colonel-General Safar Abiyev said that the Turkish-Azerbaijani
relations base on a firm ground, the BTC MEP would be commissioned
this year, and that the works for construction of the
Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline would be launched in 2006. The
Defense Minister especially stressed that the two states should
guarantee safety of the pipelines and platforms. Turkey is one of the
powerful and strongest members of NATO. Therefore, Azerbaijan’s
enemies try to impede this grandiose project. And subsequently, they
render assistance appropriate forces to delay settlement of the
Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. We reiterate that Azerbaijan will not
cede a sod of its lands to Armenia.
The Minister spoke of the current military-political situation in the
South Caucasus, underlining that in realization of the projects, in
fair resolution to the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, Turkey will
always be with Azerbaijan, support it and not open the borders with
Armenia.
BORDERS CANNOT BE OPENED
Fleet’s Admiral Ozden Ornek, in particular, noted that `despite of
pressures on Turkey, we have not opened the borders with Armenia.
Despite continuous attempts of the Armenians, we shall not open our
borders. Turkey and Azerbaijan should always back each other.’ Turkey
and Armenia has no diplomatic relations and the territorial borders
were closed after the Armenian attacks and occupation against
Azerbaijani territories. 20 percent of Azerbaijani is under the
Armenian occupation. Armenia does not recognize Turkey’s territorial
unity and implies that the eastern provinces are Armenian. Apart from
all these, Armenian Diaspora and State make all possible efforts in
order to harm Turkey’s national interests. Turkish Prime Minister
Tayyip Erdogan has frequently called the Armenian side to take
positive steps in Turkey-Armenia relations. Erdogan said `If Armenia
takes a couple of steps we could do more’. Erdogan in March 2005
further called the Armenian side to investigate the Armenian
allegations: `Our archives are open to all. Armenia and the Armenian
Diaspora should open their archives. Turkish and Armenian historians
should discuss the problems.’ However Armenia rejected Turkey’s call.
According to the recent surveys conducted in Turkey and Armenia the
publics seek to open the borders. However the Armenian side reject to
take any step in Karabakh’s occupation or in any other area. The
European Union named Armenia occupier in Karabakh and no state
recognize Karabakh’s so-called government.
Then, the sides had comprehensive exchange of vies on
Azerbaijan-Turkey military ties, including expansion of naval Forces
of both countries.
In the meeting, also was participating Ambassador of Turkey to
Azerbaijan Turan Morali.
Source: JTW News Desk, Turkish media, Azer Tag,