AZERBAIJANI NGOS APPEAL TO TURKISH PUBLIC
State Telegraph Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan
April 8, 2009 Wednesday
A meeting of the Forum of Azerbaijan National Non-governmental
Organizations was held Tuesday.
President of the Forum Rauf Zeyni said Azerbaijani public is deeply
concerned about media reports on Turkish government`s intention to
open borders with Armenia.
Representatives of over 300 Azerbaijani NGOs adopted an appeal to
their Turkish colleagues. The appeal was later handed over to the
Embassy of Turkey in Baku.
The reason why we appeal to you is the latest news on intensive
discussions to open Turkish-Armenian border. Extensively spread by
the media and not definitely refuted by the Turkish leadership, these
reports made Azerbaijani non-governmental organizations seriously
concerned, appeal reads.
We consider actions towards normalization of relationship with
Armenia and opening of borders as contradicting common interests in
the light of accusations against Turkey and Azerbaijan, 100-year long
genocide claims by Armenia and Armenian Diaspora. It is well known that
Azerbaijan-Turkey relationship began from time immemorial and continued
to date after undergoing trials of centuries, the appeal notes.
Unfortunately, after the Justice and Development Party`s coming to
power, the Turkish government started taking steps, unilaterally
compromising, towards rapprochement with Armenia, which raise
territorial claims against our countries. We urge you the Turkish
government, which has always supported fair position of our peoples,
Turkish NGOs and media to voice your protest against steps towards
opening of borders with Armenia. We are confident that you will not
remain indifferent to our appeal, the appeal said.