Today.Az, Azerbaijan
May 24 2008

Turkish expert: "Armenia could have withdrawn its troops from seven
regions of Azerbaijan for Turkey to open the borders immediately"

24 May 2008 [10:35] – Today.Az

Ankara is well aware that much is left until the resolution of Nagorno
Karabakh conflict but Armenia could have withdrawn its troops from
seven regions of Azerbaijan.

The due announcement was made by professor Mustafa Aydin, chief of
department for international relations of the University of Economy
and Technologies in Ankara.

"The Presidential elections in Armenia on February 19 give hope for
normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations. At least, thus is
considered in Turkey and proven by intentions of the new President of
Armenia Serzh Sarkissyan.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry considers that Armenian diplomacy is too
"Soviet", old-fashioned and clumsy. Our diplomacy is more of a western
pattern, which stipulates for joint steps. Restoration of the St.Cross
church in Akhtamar on the Van lake is a serious step of the Turkish
government and we expect Armenia to make response steps", noted the
Turkish professor.

He considers that one of such steps may become softening of Armenia’s
position in the resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. "Ankara is
well aware that too much is left to the resolution of the conflict,
but Armenia could have withdrawn its troops from seven regions of
Azerbaijan. In this case Turkey would have opened the border, closed
in 1993. Nevertheless, I am sure that relations between Armenia and
Turkey would normalize soon", said Mustafa Aydin.

/PanARMENIAN.Net/

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