CLOSED BORDERS ARE ARMENIA’S FAULT, TURKISH FORMER FM

Mon 07 December 2009 | 08:39 GMT Text size:

Hikmet Chetin "Turkey has been among the first countries to recognize
Armenia’s independence.

Turkey had opened borders with Armenia before 1992 and the two
countries had contacts. Yet, when we saw that Armenia starts occupying
Azerbaijani lands, we could not stay indifferent", Turkey’s former
Foreign Minister (1991-1996) Hikmet Chetin told in his interview to
Turkish Milliyet.

"I have witnessed all these events and it is too difficult when you
get information that your brothers are killed and their lands are
occupied every day. Certainly, Turkey could not bear this and seeing
that Armenia continues aggression against Azerbaijan despite numerous
appeals, we decided to close borders with this country. Thus, closed
borders are Armenia’s fault", the former minister said.

"If now Armenia stops occupation of these lands, I think there will
be no hindrances for establishment of relations. Our prime minister
should also explain the situation to Obama. He should say that the
opening of borders without due steps from Armenia’s part in this
direction will be problematic. Armenia should respond to Turkey’s
goodwill gesture at least by withdrawing from 5 occupied regions.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev is an excellent diplomat and he
understands that the full settlement of the Karabakh conflict cannot
be expected now. But the release of the occupied lands could at least
reduce distrust in the region. I think Obama can put pressure on
Armenians in this issue in order to raise confidence in this region",
he said.