POSITION OF TURKEY, BUT HEAD OF KARS MUNICIPALITIES IS IMPORTANT FOR US – GENERAL CONSUL
Author: A.Mammadova

TREND, Azerbaijan
Aug. 17, 2006

Hasan Zeynalov, the General Consul of Azerbaijan in the Turkish
province of Kars, told journalists on 16 August that there are forces
in Turkey who are for opening of Turkish borders with Armenia.

Zeynalov stated such forces are headed by the head of the Kars
municipality. "I had talks with him and agreed that the opening of
border will not hence be on agenda. Unfortunately, the head of the
Kars municipality made a statement to the Armenian media that he was
taking efforts for opening of the [Turkish-Armenian] border and is
fighting with the ‘Turkish nationalists’, as he calls the opponents
of opening of the border with Armenia," Zeynalov stressed.

The Consul stressed that such statements do not alarm Azerbaijan.

"Turkey’s position is important for us and it is clear. "Armenia
lays claims on both Azerbaijan and Turkey and these two fraternal
countries pursue one and the same policy in respect to Armenia,"
the diplomat added.