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BAKU: Turkish-Armenian border can open in context of NK settlement

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  • BAKU: Turkish-Armenian border can open in context of NK settlement

    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.
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