TURKISH MPS DEBATE OVER POSSIBLE OPENING OF TURKEY-ARMENIA BORDER

State Telegraph Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan
April 9, 2009 Thursday

Possible opening of Turkey-Armenia border sparked heated debates at
the meeting of the Turkish Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Commission
between commission`s chairman Murat Mercan and MPs.

MPs representing the Republican People`s Party of Turkey stressed the
importance of adopting a resolution urging not to open border with
Armenia because Armenia did not free Azerbaijani lands and give up
its genocide claims. Commission chairman left the meeting saying he
is not authorized to put the resolution to vote

Meeting participants decided to call Foreign Minister Ali Babacan to
clear some things up with regard to border issue.

MPs Canan Aritman, Shukru Alakdag, Onur Oymen and Ilhan Kesici demanded
a meeting with the government over opening of border.