OPENING OF ARMENIA-TURKEY BORDER WITHOUT RESOLUTION OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT CONTRADICTS AZERBAIJAN’S NATIONAL INTERESTS: FOREIGN MINISTRY

Today.Az
cs/55169.html
Sept 1 2009
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan’s position on opening of Armenia-Turkey border is based on
numerous statements by Turkey’s senior officials, Azerbaijani Foreign
Ministry spokesperson Elkhan Polukhov said.

So, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaking at the
Azerbaijani Parliament on May 14, said: "Turkey closed its borders
with Armenia after Armenia occupied the Azerbaijani lands. The borders
can be opened only after occupation ends. We will not change this
position until our Azerbaijani brothers agree with this. Everything
is interconnected and cannot be taken separately," Polukhov said.

"Meanwhile, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry once again states that
determining relations with other states is a sovereign right of
every state."

"However, given that this issue directly affects Azerbaijan’s national
interests, opening of Armenia-Turkey border without resolution of
the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict contradicts national
interests of Azerbaijan," Polukhov said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress