Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Jan 30 2007
Kars governor-general: Opening borders with Armenia not being
discussed
[ 30 Jan. 2007 16:02 ]
The visit of a group of media chiefs to Kars continues, APA
correspondent reports. The media chiefs were received by Kars
governor-general Mehmet Ufuj Erden yesterday.
Erden said he is satisfied with the visit of media chiefs to Kars.
The governor-general noted that Kars attaches importance to the
relations with Azerbaijan. He noted Baku-Tbilisi-Akhalkalaki-Kars
railway will not only influence on the relations between the
countries but also on the development of Kars. Erden stressed the
importance of opening of transport roads for expanding trade and
economic relations. The governor-general answered APA’s questions
about opening direct flight Baku-Kars-Baku and said that this
proposal is efficient.
`Kars airport is ready to receive the planes from Baku. Azerbaijan
Air Ways should only make a decision on it,’ he said.
Touching upon the problem of opening of borders with Armenia Erden
said it is not discussed.
`Turkey and Azerbaijan cooperate in all spheres, as well as in
foreign policy. According to the agreement reached between Foreign
Ministries of the two countries, Akyaka checkpoint between Armenia
and Kars was closed in 1993. The opening of the borders is
implemented on the decision made be the state. As there is no such
decision at present, this agreement is efficient,’ he said.
The governor-general noted that Kars is one of the regions underwent
genocide by Armenia at the beginning of the century and there are a
number of mass cemeteries there.
`These cemeteries prove Turkish genocide by Armenia. Archeological
group found out that 545 Turks were killed savagely and buried in the
cemetery in the village of Subatan,’ he said.
A group of Azerbaijani media chiefs met with the head of Kars
municipality Naif Alibayoglu after visiting Heydar Aliyev’s monument
in Kars. The visit schedule includes meeting with Azerbaijani consul
general to Kars, getting acquainted with the building where famous
Kars treaty was signed and visiting the monument erected in the
memory of 90 000 soldiers killed in Sarigamish. /APA/