Turkish envoy downplays Baku’s concern over talks with Armenia

ANS TV, Baku
14 Jul 05

[Presenter] Armenia is not Turkey’s enemy, Turkish ambassador to
Azerbaijan Turan Morali has said commenting on a dialogue between
Turkish and Armenian diplomats held in a European country.

[Correspondent over video of Yerevan’s central square] There are
no grounds for Azerbaijan to be concerned about the talks between
Turkish and Armenian diplomats in Europe, Turkish ambassador to
Azerbaijan Turan Morali said. He went on to say that Armenia was not
Turkey’s enemy and that Ankara did not simply support what Yerevan
was doing. The Turkish media had earlier reported, quoting diplomatic
sources in Ankara, on a meeting of the two countries’ diplomats.

[Passage omitted: Turkey advanced certain proposals at the meeting]

Morali believes that the Turkish-Armenian dialogue is of great
importance under the present circumstances.

[Morali, in Turkish] God willing, there will be a new environment
for joint work in the region if the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict
is resolved. One should lay and reinforce its foundation. Moreover,
Turkey and Armenia have practical responsibilities. People are
coming and leaving. We need to discuss the flight issue. A dialogue
is inevitable in this case. The two neighbouring countries need to
conduct a dialogue in dealing with such issues. As we have no embassy
in Armenia, the sides are trying to enter the dialogue indirectly.

[Correspondent] Morali said that the Turkish-Armenian dialogue was also
important as part of efforts to counter Armenia’s false propaganda.

You know what hue and cry the Armenian lobby is raising in the world.
This should be prevented in all possible ways, Morali said.

As for the opening of borders, Morali said that Armenia was more
interested in the issue and that Turkey’s position had not changed.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress