TURKEY SHOULD HEED AZERI INTERESTS DURING NORMALIZATION WITH ARMENIA – OFFICIAL

Interfax
May 27 2009
Russia

Turkey, as a strategic partner of Azerbaijan, should heed Baku’s
interests as it seeks to normalize relations with Armenia, Azeri
presidential administration spokesman Fuad Akhundov said.

"In our opinion, sending positive messages to Yerevan in the
present-day situation could be regarded by it [Yerevan] as
encouragement to continue its policy of the occupation of the Azeri
territories. This is unacceptable to Baku," Akhundov told Interfax
on Wednesday.

That is why the new situation in the region following Ankara’s recently
launched dialogue with Yerevan to sort out bilateral relations was
among the key topics on the agenda of recent negotiations between the
Turkish foreign minister and senior Azeri officials in Baku, he said.

"The development of relations with any country is Turkey’s sovereign
right," Akhundov said.

But Ankara should bear in mind that opening the borders without
any progress in efforts to settle the Armenian-Azeri conflict,
especially given "the Armenian president’s categorical statements
made both inside the country and abroad regarding the unacceptability
of preserving Baku’s sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh, could have a
negative impact both on this process and the security and stability
of the South Caucasus region," the official said.

"We are expecting Turkey, which is our friend, to make an actual
contribution to measures aimed at backing the peace process, and to
help maintain security and stability in the South Caucasus region,"
he said.