ESTABLISHING TURKISH-ARMENIAN RELATIONS IS UNACCEPTABLE UNTIL NAGORNO-KARABAKH PROBLEM RESOLUTION: AZERBAIJANI GOVERNING PARTY
Trend
Sept 3 2009
Azerbaijan
The governing New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) considers establishing
Turkish-Armenian relations unacceptable until the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict has been solved.
"Azerbaijan and Turkey are strategic allies and our relations rely
on the principle of "one nation – two states". There are many ties
connecting our countries. Therefore, the talks which are being
held to open Turkish-Armenian borders and to establish diplomatic
relations is causing anxiety to the Azerbaijani public", the NAP
Deputy Executive Secretary and MP, Mubariz Gurbanli, said on the
party’s official website.
In the talks mediated by Switzerland, Turkey and Armenia reached an
agreement to launch "internal political discussions", to sign the
Protocol on Establishing Diplomatic Relations and Protocol on the
Development of Bilateral Relations, the Turkish Foreign Ministry
reported.
The political discussions will be completed within six
weeks. Afterwards, the two protocols are to be submitted for approval
and signed by the two countries’ parliaments.
At present, Turkey does not plan to open borders with neighboring
Armenia, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davudoglu said.
Armenian-Turkish ties have been severed since 1993.
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.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
