SIGNING OF PROTOCOLS BETWEEN TURKEY AND ARMENIA IS UNREASONABLE: AZERBAIJANI PARLIAMENT’S FIRST VICE SPEAKER

Today.Az
15 October 2009 [17:56]

Opening Turkish-Armenian border without the liberation of occupied
lands will be a blow to the back of Azerbaijan, said the First Deputy
Speaker of the Parliament of Azerbaijan.

"Azerbaijan’s position on the Armenian-Turkish relations was known
in advance and we are committed to it. We were against the signing
of these protocols," the First Deputy Speaker, chairman of the
parliamentary committee on security and defense Ziyafet Asgarov told
the official Web site of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP).

Foreign Ministers Ahmet Davutoglu of Turkey and Edward Nalbandyan of
Armenia signed Turkey-Armenia protocols to resume diplomatic relations
and reopen border in Zurich on Oct. 10.

Asgarov said Turkish officials said during their visits to Azerbaijan
and in their country that borders with Armenia will not be opened
unless Armenia puts an end to its occupation policy.

"For this reason, the signing of protocols between Turkey and
Armenia looks unreasonable. Because Armenia and Western officials
have stated that the signing of the protocols should not be linked
to the Nagorno-Karabakh problem. We supported parallel discussions
over both issues. The signing ceremony in Zurich was attended by the
foreign ministers of co-chair countries of the OSCE Minsk Group. On
the one hand, they say that they are separate issues and on the other
hand, the ceremony was attended by the foreign ministers of co-chair
countries. This fact shows that this process is directly related to
the Nagorno-Karabakh issue," said chairman of the committee.

Asgarov said the opening of borders in the current circumstances is
contrary to the interests of Azerbaijan.

"If the border is opened without liberation of our occupied
territories, it will be a blow to the back of Azerbaijan. Because such
an action does not correspond to the logic and spirit of the friendly
and brotherly relations between A ey. This should not occur between
the friendly and brotherly countries. We consider Turkey a fraternal
country and expect reciprocity. I would like to believe that these
protocols will not be ratified by the Turkish Parliament. President,
prime minister, foreign minister and chairman of the Turkish Parliament
should remain true to their words," said the first vice speaker.