TURKISH DIPLOMAT: WE DEMAND ARMENIA TO QUIT OCCUPIED LANDS
news.az
Nov 24 2009
Azerbaijan
Turkey used to have strained relations with Greece and the thaw
occurred owing to economic cooperation.
If economic cooperation prevails over political, it would be possible
to settle problems, spokesman for the Turkish embassy Nihad Javaner
said during a round table on integration processes in Middle Asia
and the South Caucasus.
According to the Turkish diplomat, definite steps are needed for
country’s integration.
"We should reach integration in different spheres, including economy,
but without free trade economic integration cannot be effective. We
attach a great importance to relations with Turkic states. Having
common language and common traditions is comfortable for our
cooperation, yet we integrate more and seek removal of customs tariffs
and other issues. We should work on this. If we attain an agreement
with Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan on all integration issues, this will
become a good example for other countries. If economic prosperity
comes to the region, it will lead to people’s welfare", Javaner said.
The Turkish diplomat noted that after the USSR collapse Turkey
recognized independence of all newly established countries, including
Armenia.
"One of the most actively discussed issues in Turkey and Azerbaijan
is signing of the Turkish-Armenian protocols. This does not mean that
we will ratify the protocols tomorrow and they come into effects.
However, Turkey wants to establish ties with all our neighbors and for
this purpose it has recently held a huge work. We have repeatedly
spoken of our provisions and said our ties with Armenia cannot
be normalized without the settlement of the Karabakh conflict. We
demand from Armenia to respect international law and withdraw from
the occupied lands", the spokesman said.