PROTOCOLS NOT TO BE APPROVED WITHOUT KARABAKH CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND ARMENIA’S RENOUNCING ITS CLAIMS: TURKISH MP

Today.Az
90.html
Sept 1 2009
Azerbaijan

Member of the Great National Assembly of Turkey (TGNA) from the
National Movement Party (NMP) Å~^enol Bal commented on the statement
by Turkish Foreign Minister to start negotiations on establishing
diplomatic relations between Turkey and Armenia.

"The question of normalization of Turkey-Armenia relations have been
raised earlier. But the confusion in this matter which appeared as
a result of the reaction of Turkish society led to the fact that
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan once again promised
in the Azerbaijani parliament that without resolution of the
Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the border between
Turkey and Armenia will not reopen," Bal said.

"As for my opinion, I do not believe Armenia-Turkey relations will
be normalized without resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
and Armenia’s renouncing claims of the so-called "genocide". I do
not believe this will happen," Bal added.

"But at the same time, I think, Turkey, who took large foreign
policy steps recently, faces outside pressure. Still, in recent days
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmed Davutoglu promised that in any case,
the interests of our Azerbaijani brothers will not be infringed. We
will not accept a different foreign policy," the Turkish MP said.

"Naturally, our country must solve all problems with neighboring
countries. But this should not take place without taking into account
interests of fraternal countries. Besides, why should Turkey always
make concession?" she said.

Bal also commented on possible reaction of the Turkish Parliament to
the protocol, which will be sent to the Great National Assembly at
the end of six weeks.

"Once this happens, we will evaluate it and make appropriate
decision. Our party has a firm stand on this matter which we have
expressed and express now. Our stand is that the Karabakh conflict
should be resolved, that Turkey must not face claims of so-called
"genocide." We have talked about it and continue to insist on this. We
are interested in a document that will be sent to the Great National
Assembly of Turkey at the end of six weeks. I think since we have a
firm position on these issues approval of any document that does not
meet our stand is impossible."