BAKU: TURKISH-ARMENIAN BORDER CAN ONLY BE OPENED IN CONTEXT OF KARABAKH SETTLEMENT

Interfax
April 9 2009
Russia

The Turkish-Armenian border could be opened in the context of the
Nagorno-Karabakh settlement, Azeri Deputy Foreign Minister Araz
Azimov said.

"Azerbaijan believes that the border can only be opened in the context
of the settlement, and it can only be connected with progress in the
settlement," Azimov told the press in Baku on Thursday in remarks
about speculation in the Turkish media over prospects of opening the
Turkish-Armenian border.

Azimov said Azerbaijan was ready to discuss with Turkey exactly at
which stage of the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict the
Turkish-Armenian border can be opened. "But decision-making on the
opening of the border outside the context would go against Azerbaijan’s
interests and will not be accepted by Azerbaijan. We have made this
position clear to Turkey," he said.

The Azeri diplomat said that the closed Turkish-Armenian border was a
factor that has been taken into account for many years in the talks on
the settlement of the Karabakh conflict. "This factor is of serious
importance. Given that the decision to close the border was made in
connection with the occupation of Azeri territory, its cancellation
would also be possible only after this condition [the liberation of
territories] is implemented," Azimov said.

The Turkish leaders, including President Abdullah Gul and Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan have been giving their assurances that
the border with Armenia would remain closed as long as Azeri lands
remain occupied, he said.

"Depending on the will of Azerbaijan, regional development can
accelerate, but it can also change its direction," Azimov said.