TURKISH MP: OPENING OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH BORDER IS NOT AN ISSUE OF THE NEAREST FUTURE

Today.Az
/53328.html
June 23 2009
Azerbaijan

Relations with fraternal Azerbaijan – a priority in the external policy
of the country – are always important for Turkey, said Cahan Kalsin,
deputy from the Turkey’s ruling party of Justice and Development and
member of the Turkish group of OSCE parliamentary assembly.

According to her, the people of both countries should not doubt it.

On the roadmap, coordinated by Turkey and Armenia, she said it is
unclear what the roadmap is.

"But there is no complete information on it, as the map has not yet
been made public. This is one of the aspects connected with normalizing
relations between Turkey and Armenia, starting relations from zero. But
the resolution of all these issues should be accompanied with the
resolution of the Karabakh issue.

The MP also noted that Armenians’ demands to exclude Turkey from
the OSCE MG members will not be useful for both parties. She said
"this is not a solution that would promote the problem settlement".

Kalsin said assessing the activity of the OSCE Minsk Group "it is
good the gates to a dialogue are open between the parties".

"I believe both parties will benefit from this as they will be able
to hold talks.

Asked about the time the border between Turkey and Armenia opens,
she stressed that the policy, based on negotiations on this issue,
will continue.

"I think this will happen after Turkey, Azerbaijan and Armenia agree
and come to a single point. But I do not think it will happen so soon
and this is my personal opinion", concluded the deputy.