AZERBAIJAN: BAKU REBUKES ANKARA FOR ARMENIA-TURKISH RAPPROCHEMENT

NEWS BRIEFS
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9/02/09

Azerbaijan is reacting coolly to the rapprochement between Turkey,
Baku’s traditional ally, and Armenia, a long-time foe.

Turkish and Armenian officials announced August 31 that they were
moving toward the normalization of relations.

[For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. Azerbaijani officials
are now especially concerned about the likelihood that Turkey will
reopen its border with Armenia. Turkey imposed an embargo against
Armenia in 1993 as a move in support of Azerbaijan’s efforts to retain
control of Nagorno-Karabakh.

A statement issued by Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry reminded Ankara
that the border was closed in solidarity with Azerbaijan. "Establishing
diplomatic relations with another country is a sovereign right of
every nation, but given that, in this case, the matter has immediate
implications for the national interests of Azerbaijan, we say that
opening the Turkish-Armenian border prior to resolution of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict runs counter to the national interest of
Azerbaijan," the Foreign Ministry statement said, according to a
September 2 report distributed by the Anspress news agency.