OPENING BORDERS BETWEEN TURKEY AND ARMENIA IS IMPOSSIBLE UNDER PRESENT SITUATION – HEAD OF IGDIR MUNICIPALITY
Author: E.Huseynov
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Nov 8 2006
Opening the borders between Turkey and Armenia is impossible under
the present situation, the Head of the Igdir Municipality of Turkey,
Nurettin Aras, stated in an exclusive interview with Trend.
According to him, the European Union (EU) member-countries insist
on opening the Turkish-Armenian borders. "There are no relations
between Turkey’s entrance to the European Union and the opening of
the borders with Armenia, and it does not reflect within the Helsinki
Charter. However, the EU Head and member-countries are constantly
pressurizing Turkey on this issue and calls for its borders to open.
This matter is touched upon at each level and the pressure is
unavoidable," Aras said. He stressed that recently, a number of
countries put this question as a condition for Turkey’s entrance into
the European Union. "Will the borders be opened as a result of these
pressures? Never!!! The Turkish Constitution does not allow it,"
he added.
According to Aras, to open the Turkish-Armenian borders it needs
not only to recognize the existing borders, but also Armenia should
improve its relations with Azerbaijan, as well as open the transport
route to Baku.
Aras positively assessed the initiatives to open a transit
corridor between Turkey, Azerbaijan and Iran via Nakchivan
Autonomous Republic. "Together with the opening of the rail link
Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku, there is no reason not to support the
construction of the railway stretches to Iran through Nakchivan. It
will be of mutual benefit. Consequently, the Silk Route will develop,"
Aras concluded.