AZERBAIJANI-TURKISH BUSINESSMEN ASSOCIATION ISSUES STATEMENT
State Telegraph Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan
April 8, 2009 Wednesday
The Azerbaijani-Turkish Businessmen Association (ATIB) has issued
a statement over recent news spread by local and foreign media on
opening of the Turkish-Armenian borders.
Expressing its deep concern over the issue, ATIB considers that
existing regional conflicts, including that of Armenia`s with
Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh must be solved in compliance with
principles of international law for maintenance of stability, welfare
and sustainable economic progress in the region.
In the statement, ATIB resolutely opposes the opening of the
Turkish-Armenian borders, saying it cannot be possible until Armenia
leaves its territorial and genocide claims against Turkey, allowing
scholars and historians to deal with the issue, until it stops using
this as a tool of political pressure against Turkey and until it
withdraws its troops from Azerbaijans internationally-recognized
territories, allowing refugees and IDPs to return to their home lands.
Otherwise opening of the borders will only meet interests of Armenia
and its patrons, the statement said.
ATIB also called the supporters of the plans to open the borders
between Turkey and Armenia to listen to voice within you and answer
us! Would you accept opening of the Azerbaijani-Armenian borders if
20 percent of Turkey`s territory was under Armenia`s occupation and
one eighth of its population were refugees and IDPs?
In conclusion, ATIB expressed hope that considering a right concern
of the Azerbaijani and Turkish public, the Turkish government will
approach the issue more delicately and carefully and assume the state
interests of Turkey and Azerbaijan as a basis.