AZERI MFA: BAKU ‘NOT CONCERNED’ OVER INFORMAL TALKS BETWEEN TURKEY AND ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
21.07.2008 14:14 GMT+04:00

Azerbaijan is not concerned over informal talks between Turkey and
Armenia, said Khazar Ibrahim, a spokesman for the Azeri Foreign
Ministry.

"Ankara’s official position is the main argument for us. If Foreign
Minister Ali Babacan said Turkey’s stand on the border issue remains
unchanged, we hope that further moves will be taken within this
policy," Ibrahim said.

In a further sign of readiness to normalize ties, Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan proposed "a fresh start" in relations with Turkey
in an article published in The Wall Street Journal earlier this
month. Sargsyan also invited Gul to a World Cup qualifying match
between Armenian and Turkish teams in September. Turkish officials
say the invitation is still under consideration and that the President
will decide according to developments.

"Normalization of relations with Armenia is one of priorities in
Turkey’s foreign policy," said Ali Babacan, Turkish Foreign Minister.

He also confirmed reports that Turkish and Armenian officials had
secret talks in Switzerland on July 8.

The possibility of normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations
aroused Baku’s concerns.

"Political history is full of examples of untrustworthy ally relations
between countries in the modern world. We should also remember that
there is no place for sentiments in the politics, here the principle
of personal benefit is ruling," Azeri political scientist Rasim
Aghayev said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress