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KARABAKH PREREQ FOR ARMENIA TIES
Hurriyet Daily News
June 11 2012
Turkey
Economy Minister Cagayan (C) meets with Georgian Minister Kobalia
(R) and his Azeri counterpart Mustafayev in Kars. AA photo Turkey
will not resume diplomatic relations with Armenia until Yerevan
"ends its occupation in Azerbaijan's territories," Turkish Economy
Minister Zafer Cagayan said on June 9.
"Without an end to the Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani territories,
there will be no diplomatic relations between Turkey and Armenia,"
Caglayan told a trilateral business forum between Turkey, Azerbaijan
and Georgia in the eastern province of Kars.
Caglayan said Turkey would continue to make efforts to secure
lasting peace and stability in the region, adding that Azerbaijani
sensitivities also held for Turkey. "Azerbaijan's sensitivity is
our sensitivity. Azerbaijan's happiness and sadness is also ours,"
said Caglayan, describing Turkey's attitude on the issue.
Caglayan said investments between Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia
increased with each passing day, adding that the three countries
aimed at boosting the current scope of cooperation further. He called
the trilateral business forum a "three seas project," saying they
would open to the world by uniting the Caspian Sea, Black Sea and
Mediterranean. Caglayan said the three countries wanted to have a
virtually free trade zone.
Also speaking at the forum, Georgian Minister of Economy and
Sustainable Development Vera Kobalia said the three countries set
a very good example for other countries in the world amid global
economic problems. Kobalia said a railway project between Baku,
Tbilisi and Kars was of great importance for the Georgian government.
Azeri Economic Development Minister Sahin Mustafayev said Azerbaijani
businesspeople participating in the business forum were ready for
cooperation.
Turkey and Armenia currently have no diplomatic relations, as Ankara
closed its border with the country in 1993 because of Armenia's war
with Azerbaijan over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a cease-fire agreement in 1994. However,
reports of border clashes between Azerbaijani and Armenian soldiers
have increased recently as nine soldiers were killed in total in the
past two weeks.
Hurriyet Daily News
June 11 2012
Turkey
Economy Minister Cagayan (C) meets with Georgian Minister Kobalia
(R) and his Azeri counterpart Mustafayev in Kars. AA photo Turkey
will not resume diplomatic relations with Armenia until Yerevan
"ends its occupation in Azerbaijan's territories," Turkish Economy
Minister Zafer Cagayan said on June 9.
"Without an end to the Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani territories,
there will be no diplomatic relations between Turkey and Armenia,"
Caglayan told a trilateral business forum between Turkey, Azerbaijan
and Georgia in the eastern province of Kars.
Caglayan said Turkey would continue to make efforts to secure
lasting peace and stability in the region, adding that Azerbaijani
sensitivities also held for Turkey. "Azerbaijan's sensitivity is
our sensitivity. Azerbaijan's happiness and sadness is also ours,"
said Caglayan, describing Turkey's attitude on the issue.
Caglayan said investments between Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia
increased with each passing day, adding that the three countries
aimed at boosting the current scope of cooperation further. He called
the trilateral business forum a "three seas project," saying they
would open to the world by uniting the Caspian Sea, Black Sea and
Mediterranean. Caglayan said the three countries wanted to have a
virtually free trade zone.
Also speaking at the forum, Georgian Minister of Economy and
Sustainable Development Vera Kobalia said the three countries set
a very good example for other countries in the world amid global
economic problems. Kobalia said a railway project between Baku,
Tbilisi and Kars was of great importance for the Georgian government.
Azeri Economic Development Minister Sahin Mustafayev said Azerbaijani
businesspeople participating in the business forum were ready for
cooperation.
Turkey and Armenia currently have no diplomatic relations, as Ankara
closed its border with the country in 1993 because of Armenia's war
with Azerbaijan over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a cease-fire agreement in 1994. However,
reports of border clashes between Azerbaijani and Armenian soldiers
have increased recently as nine soldiers were killed in total in the
past two weeks.