TURKEY-ARMENIA BORDER NOT TO BE REOPENED BEFORE NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT IS RESOLVED: AZERBAIJANI AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY

Today.Az
/55327.html
Sept 7 2009
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan’s Ambassador in Ankara Zakir Hashimov said Saturday the
foreign ministries of Turkey and Azerbaijan discussed Turkish-Armenian
relations over phone and reached a common understanding, Anadolu
Agency reported.

Speaking to reporters at a fast-breaking dinner in Ankara, Ambassador
Hashimov indicated that the opening of the Turkish-Armenian border
prior to resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh issue would be against
Azerbaijan’s interests.

"As Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan
said, we believe that the border will not get opened unless the issue
of Nagorno-Karabakh is resolved," Hashimov said.

Asked about what he thinks on two protocols signed by Turkey
and Armenia, Ambassador Hashimov stressed that "Turkey is a great
country. It is Turkey’s own business to decide with which countries
it establishes relations".