HEAD OF IGDIR MUNICIPALITY FROM DTP: "THE BORDERS WITH ARMENIA SHOULD BE OPENED"

APA
May 14 2009
Azerbaijan

Igdir. Vugar Masimoglu – APA. "Trade has no nationality, I support
the opening of Alican checkpoint bordering on Armenia," newly-elected
head of Igdir municipality Mehmet Nuri Gunesh said in his interview
to a local newspaper, APA reports. Mehmet Nuri Gunesh, who represents
Democratic Society Party (DTP) protecting the rights of the Kurds,
criticized severe policy of previous heads of the municipality
against Armenia.

"The previous heads of the municipality did not have any demands
or targets concerning this issue. We denied our neighbors and our
neighbors denied us. We have not established any cultural or commercial
dialogue with Armenia. We did not open out our arms to them, did
nothing to know them better. No project was implemented together with
the neighboring countries. Trade has no nationality. Turkish goods
are sold in all shops of Yerevan. People from Trabzon, Istanbul,
Ankara and Rize go to Armenia through Iran for trade. Why should
not we do it having 15km distance. I will discuss historical issues,
but establish commercial relations. I support the opening of Alican
checkpoint. If there is no dialogue with Armenians, we will not
understand each other," he said.

Mehmet Nuri Gunesh was elected head of Igdir municipality from DTP
in the local elections on March 29. At the HADEP congress he threw
the flag of Turkey, stuck PKK flag and photo of terrorist Abdullah
Ocalan. He was sentenced to 4 and a half years for committing crime
against the state. He supports establishment of relations with Armenia
and policy of opening borders.