APA, Azerbaijan
March 1 2009
U.S. Congressman: Border between Turkey and Armenia probable to open this year
[ 01 Mar 2009 16:17 ]
Baku-APA. The relations between Turkey and Armenia have hit a historic
turning point and the developments could result the opening of the
border of two neighboring countries, a U.S. congressman said Friday,
as Milliyet reported.
Robert Wexler, an American politician from the U.S. state of Florida,
co-chair of the Turkish friendship group in the U.S. House of
Representatives, stated that it seemed relations between Turkey and
Armenia were at a historically opportune point, adding the relations
could be normalized and border gates between the countries could be
opened.
Wexler, who visited Ankara and held meetings with Turkish officials
last week, talked about Turkish-Armenian relations at the Foreign
Affairs Committee.
In his words, there is probability for the normalization of relations
and the opening of borders between Turkey and Armenia in 2009.
During his visit from February 16-17, Wexler met with Turkey’s
President Gul and Premier ErdoÐ?an to discuss Turkish-Israeli
relations after the clash in Davos and the future of the
RutkishArmenian relations.
According to Milliyet, the opening of border gates came to the agenda
in diplomatic circles after Turkish President paid a landmark visit to
Yerevan in September 2008 to watch a World Cup qualifying football
match between the two countries.
`For this, Turkey is awaiting Armenia’s `nod of affirmation’ for
Turkey’s proposal to set up a joint commission of historians to probe
the problem’.
For about a month, there have been media reports about Turkey’s
gearing up for making light of the stipulation of Nagorno Karabakh in
negotiations with Armenia and opening the border gates. Meanwhile,
Turkish officials still don’t comment on the rumors.