State Telegraph Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan
April 10, 2009 Friday
TURKISH-ARMENIAN BORDERS CAN BE OPENED ONLY IN THE CONTEXT OF
SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH CONFLICT, AZERI DEPUTY FM
Baku 10 April (AzerTAc). The Turkish-Armenian borders can be re-opened
only in the context of resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,
Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov told journalists.
"Opening of the borders out of this context does not correspond to
Azerbaijan’s interests. We have declared our position to the Turkish
government, Azimov said.
The Deputy FM noted every country has its own sovereign rights and
policy. Azerbaijan does not interfere with internal affairs of other
countries. At the same time, nobody can deny Turkey`s connection with
this region. However, everybody is aware of the strong strategic ties
between Turkey and Azerbaijan, he stressed. Taking into consideration
that the border closure decision was caused by the occupation of
Azerbaijan`s lands, this decision can be abolished only after our
territories are liberated
Azimov said official Baku also takes into consideration statements by
the Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan
who declared that the borders with Armenia will not be opened until
the conflict finds its solution.
"Azerbaijan will never be alone as all processes and regional projects
originate here. Dependent on Azerbaijan`s wish regional development
processes can be both accelerated and change its direction," the
deputy minister said.
Different circles in Turkey claim Turkey-Armenia borders will be
re-opened.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul visited Yerevan on Sept. 6, 2008 upon
the invitation of his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sargsyan to watch an
Armenia-Turkey football match.
Efforts have been made to normalize ties between the two countries
ever since.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. The Armenian
armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan`s territories,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding
districts. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in
1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the
U.S. – are currently holding peace negotiations.