PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: TURKEY MUST TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE INTERESTS OF AZERBAIJAN IN PROCESS OF NORMALIZING RELATIONS WITH YEREVAN
Today.Az
May 27 2009
Azerbaijan
Ankara as a strategic partner of Baku, should take into account
the interests of Azerbaijan in process of normalizing relations with
Yerevan, says Fuad Akhundov, chief of department under the presidential
administration of Azerbaijan, according to Interfax-Azerbaijan.
"We consider that the positive messages to Yerevan in current
conditions might be perceived by it as the encouragement to its policy
of occupation of Azerbaijani territory. And it is unacceptable for
Baku, and other countries in the region will not benefit from this
as well", said F. Akhundov.
As for the regional security, Akhundov praises the statement made by
Turkish Foreign Minister Davutoghlu in Baku by results of talks on
May 26 that Turkey will continue endeavors in support to the soonest
resolution of the Karabakh conflict both as a strategic partner of
Azerbaijan and as a member of the OSCE Minsk Group. Ankara is also
ready to contribute to the settlement process as a non-permanent
member of the UN Security Council.
In this regard, he said one of the central subjects of talks between
the Turkish FM and the leadership of Azerbaijan was a new situation
in the region resulting from a dialogue initiated between Ankara and
Yerevan on normalization of the Turkish-Armenian relations.
According to the presidential administration representative, official
Baku has already stated its position on this issue which has not
changed.
"The development of relations with any country is a sovereign right
of Turkey. However, though supporting this right, we believe that
Turkey as a friendly neighbor country and as our strategic partner,
should take into account the following.
The opening of borders in the absence of progress in the negotiation
process to settle the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict and in
circumstances when the President of Armenia is making categorical
statements about the unacceptability of preserving the sovereignty
of Baku over Nagorno Karabakh in all his official statements both
inside the country and abroad, may affect both the process and the
security and stability in the South Caucasus region, not to mention
the Turkish initiatives to promote stability and cooperation in the
region", he said.
F. Akhundov recalled that A. Davudoglu in Baku compared unresolved
conflicts with bombs that can explode at any moment.
"In other words, we expect from friendly Turkey to make a real
contribution to supporting the peace process, security and stability
in the South Caucasus in this issue", noted the chief of department
of Azerbaijan’s presidential administration.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress