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AZERBAIJAN THREATENS TO CUT GAS SUPPLY TO TURKEY IN CASE ARMENIA BORDER OPENS
armradio.am
02.04.2009 10:58
Concerned that the Turkish government might open its border with
Armenia before reconciliation is reached, the Azerbaijani government
has signaled it might stop selling natural gas to Turkey, Hurriyet
Saily reported.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev told third parties that Baku would
cut gas supplies to Turkey if Ankara reaches an agreement with Yerevan
before substantial progress is underway on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue,
the Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review has learned. As a sign of
how serious it is, Azerbaijan signed a memorandum of understanding
with Russia last week for long-term supply of gas at market prices.
Turkey and Armenia are said to have come very close to an agreement
on the timetable to normalize relations. This development in turn
has upset the Azerbaijani government, which argues a decision to open
Turkey's borders with Armenia would leave Baku at a disadvantage in
negotiating for the withdrawal of Armenian troops from Azerbaijani
territory. The ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP,
has been the target of severe criticism in the Azerbaijani press
with commentators there accusing the Turkish government of selling
out. The Turkish Foreign Ministry has been informed that Aliyev has
told third parties that were Turkey to open its borders to Armenia,
cooperation on energy suppl ies would end.
armradio.am
02.04.2009 10:58
Concerned that the Turkish government might open its border with
Armenia before reconciliation is reached, the Azerbaijani government
has signaled it might stop selling natural gas to Turkey, Hurriyet
Saily reported.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev told third parties that Baku would
cut gas supplies to Turkey if Ankara reaches an agreement with Yerevan
before substantial progress is underway on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue,
the Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review has learned. As a sign of
how serious it is, Azerbaijan signed a memorandum of understanding
with Russia last week for long-term supply of gas at market prices.
Turkey and Armenia are said to have come very close to an agreement
on the timetable to normalize relations. This development in turn
has upset the Azerbaijani government, which argues a decision to open
Turkey's borders with Armenia would leave Baku at a disadvantage in
negotiating for the withdrawal of Armenian troops from Azerbaijani
territory. The ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP,
has been the target of severe criticism in the Azerbaijani press
with commentators there accusing the Turkish government of selling
out. The Turkish Foreign Ministry has been informed that Aliyev has
told third parties that were Turkey to open its borders to Armenia,
cooperation on energy suppl ies would end.