TURKISH PM CONSIDERS HIS STATEMENTS ON KARABAKH DISPUTE A MATTER OF HONOR: AZERBAIJANI MP

Trend News Agency
Oct 20 2009
Azerbaijan

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan considers own statements
on avoidance of verification protocols without progress in resolution
of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem a matter of honor and is ready to
stand his words, Azerbaijani MP Mubariz Gurbanli told the official
website of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) on Oct.20.

Gurbanli said that the Turkish prime minister expressed this idea in
his meeting with the Azerbaijani parliamentary delegation.

"Our delegation also held a meeting at the Committee on Foreign Policy,
where the Turkish side has expressed solidarity with Azerbaijan. It
was noted that the protocols may be returned after discussions in
the committee, not acting in the parliament," Gurbanli added.

Azerbaijani MPs, including Samad Seyidov, Nizami Jafarov, Ali
Huseynov, Ganira Pashayeva, Mubariz Gurbanli, Fazil Gazanfaroglu, Akram
Abdullayev, Gultakin Hajibeyli, Asef Hajiyev, Rovshan Rzayev and Fazail
Agamali hold several meetings in Ankara to discuss the situation.

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.