ANKARA-YEREVAN PROTOCOL DISAPPOINTS AZERBAIJAN: TURKISH OPPOSITION LEADER

Trend News Agency
Oct 20 2009
Azerbaijan

Leader of the National Movement Party (MHP) Devlet Bahcheli said
the Ankara-Yerevan protocol has disappointed Azerbaijan. Bahcheli
was commenting on signing of the Turkey-Armenia protocols, the CNN
Turk reported.

Turkish and Armenian Foreign Ministers, Ahmet Davutoglu and Edward
Nalbandian signed the Ankara-Yerevan protocol in Zurich on Oct. 10.

Armenian-Turkish ties have been severed since 1993 due to Armenia’s
claims of an alleged genocide, and the country’s occupation of 20
percent of Azerbaijani lands.

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.

With signing of these protocols Turkey cheated Azerbaijan, the
opposition leader added.

"Unfortunately, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) drove
the relations with Azerbaijan into an abyss to establish relations
with Armenia," Bahcheli said.

The Azerbaijani flag was banned in the Turkey-Armenia football match
held in Bursa on Oct.14 at AKP’s decision.

"Turkey is not only the AKP and today the AKP is in power today,
but can be out of power tomorrow," the opposition leader added.

AKP’s mistakes should not damage the Turkey-Azerbaijan relations,
Bahcheli said.