"COULD THERE BE A CRISIS BETWEEN TWO BROTHERLY COUNTRIES?" AZERBAIJANI AMBASSADOR
Andolu Agency
April 23 2009
Turkey
ANKARA (A.A) – 23.04.2009 – Azerbaijan’s Ambassador in Ankara Zakir
Hasimov said Thursday Turkey and Azerbaijan share relations based
on the idea of "two states and one nation". Speaking at the April 23
National Sovereignty and Children’s Day reception held at the Turkish
Parliament, Ambassador Hasimov said "could there be a crisis between
two brotherly countries?".
Answering questions of journalists, Hasimov said that "as an
independent state, Turkey has the right to establish bilateral
relations with any country it wishes. However, Turkey-Armenia relations
should be parallel to the developments taking place in Upper Karabakh".
"President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan made
assurances to us in this direction," Hasimov said.
Reminding the words of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk that "Azerbaijan’s
happiness is our happiness" and the words of late Azerbaijani President
Haidar Aliyev that "Turkey and Azerbaijan are two states of one
nation", Ambassador Hasimov said that Turkish-Azerbaijani relations can
not go out of such principles and no one can disturb such principles.
Stressing that windows between Turkey and Azerbaijan are open, Hasimov
said that the Azerbaijani Defense Minister Safar Abiyev will pay a
visit to Turkey on Friday.
"President Gul and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev had a positive
phone conversation today (Thursday)," Hasimov said.
Asked about when Azerbaijan will accept the opening of the
Turkish-Armenian border, Hasimov said that Armenia must withdraw
from five towns out of seven and Azerbaijani refugees must go back to
their homes in these territories. "Only then will Azerbaijan accept
the opening of the Turkish-Armenian border".
Armenian troops must also withdraw from the remaining two towns and
Upper Karabakh and Azerbaijani refugees must be able to go back to
their homes in these regions, Hasimov said.
We can then discuss the status, Hasimov also said. (SOL)