DENIZ BAYKAL: "THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY REGARDING ARMENIA RESULTED WITH FIASCO"

APA
Feb 9 2010
Azerbaijan

Baku – APA. "Armenia is our neighbor. Turkey was one of the first
countries recognizing Armenia’s independence after its establishment.

However, Armenia occupied the territories of Azerbaijan afterwards.

Turkey regarded it inadmissible and closed its borders with Armenia.

Turkey has closed its borders not to cause trouble for Armenian people,
but because of happenings against Azerbaijan. Now the government
says it has zero problem with the neighbors", said leader of Turkish
Republican People’s Party Deniz Baykal at the party’s meeting, APA
reports quoting Hurriyet.

According to Baykal, Armenia does not demonstrate any will to normalize
relations with Turkey. "Meetings were held in Switzerland, they said
"historic opportunity has been created". Protocols were signed and
they went ahead. But we warned them "do not take such step, you will
hurt Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan is much more important than you think it
to be, you will legitimize the occupation in Azerbaijan". We said
we would not let the protocols be approved unless the occupation
ends. Azerbaijan also demonstrated its strict objection and protest.

Further, the Prime Minister visited Azerbaijan and said "We will not
open borders unless the occupation ends". But we have not seen any
progress regarding this issue.

Baykal said Turkey-Armenia rapprochement process is in deadlock:
"24 April is coming. Turkey will be oppressed again. This government’s
"zero problem" policy regarding Armenia is completely fiasco. Nothing
has been gained, but much has been lost. We have lost Azerbaijan’s
friendship. They said "zero problem", they failed to settle problems
with Armenia, plus they created problem with Azerbaijan".