Azerbaijan.az
Jan 16 2010

Recep Tayyip Erdogan: `If Armenia has good intentions, let it start
with its withdrawal from the regions surrounding Nagorno Karabakh’

The process of normalization between Turkey and Armenia and Nagorno
Karabakh conflict are relating to each other. These processes are
connected with each other behind the scene despite they appear
conducted separately’, Russian Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
told journalist on board of plane on his way from Russia.

He reminded that the Turkey-Armenia borders were closed because of
Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict: `Let the problem between Azerbaijan and
Armenia be solved and occupation of Karabakh be ended, then the
Turkey-Armenia problem will find its solution. If Armenia has good
intentions, let it start with its withdrawal from the regions
surrounding Nagorno Karabakh. If it will leave those regions, there
will be positive processes’.

Erdogan said: `It is clear what actions will Turkey take. We assumed
risks and allowed flights to Armenia, opened Yerevan-Istanbul flights.
We opened air borders, but it differs from the opening of ground
borders’.

Erdogan said he discussed this issue with Russian President Dmitriy
Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin: `Russia is the most
influential member of the Minsk Group troika for Armenia. If Russia is
careless, it will be difficult to achieve results’.

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