AZERBAIJANI AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY DESCRIBES INFORMATION OF ARMENIAN MEDIA AS "RUMOUR"

Trend
Sept 1 2009
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani ambassador to Turkey Zakir Hashimov called "rumour" the
publication of the Armenian media that as though he was urgently called
to Baku after information on the beginning of political consultations
between the foreign ministries of Turkey and Armenia for the resumption
of diplomatic relations.

"I’m in my workplace, I do not intend to leave it and no-one called
me to anywhere, and the information of the Armenian media was just
another "rumour",Hashimov told Trend News by telephone from Ankara.

During negotiations under the mediation of Switzerland, Turkey
and Armenia reached an agreement to begin "internal political
consultations" regarding the signing of Protocol on establishing
diplomatic relations" and "Protocol on development of bilateral
relations, RIA Novosti reported with reference to the Turkish Foreign
Ministry.

Armenian mass media disseminated information today that as though
Azerbaijan called back its ambassador to Ankara in order to protest
against Turkey’s decision to begin consultations with Armenia on the
resumption of diplomatic relations with this country.

"In their information, Armenians refer to the Turkish media, but
there is no word about it in the Turkish media," said the ambassador.

Opening of Armenian-Turkish border without the solution of
Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh issue is contrary to national
interests of Azerbaijan, according to official Baku.

"Azerbaijan’s position on this issue is based on numerous statements
by senior officials of the Turkish Republic. Thus, making a speech
on May 14 this year in the Parliament of Azerbaijan, Turkish Prime
Minister Rajap Tayyib Erdogan said: "Turkey closed its borders with
Armenia after Armenia occupied Azerbaijani lands. The borders can be
opened after the occupied lands are returned. We will not give up
this position unless our Azerbaijani brothers agree. All these are
connected with each other, and can not be divided," Foreign Ministry
said in statement distributed on Tuesday.

"At the same time, the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Azerbaijan
once again informed that defining relations with other states, in
principle, is the sovereign right of any State. However, taking into
account that this issue directly affects the national interests of
Azerbaijan, opening of Armenian-Turkish border without the solution
of Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is contrary to the
national interests of Azerbaijan," Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry said.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed
forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including
the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts. Azerbaijan
and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of
the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. – are currently
holding the peace negotiations.