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Head of Igdir municipality from DTP: â€œThe borders with Armenia should be openedâ€

14 May 2009 10:15 (UTC +04:00)

Igdir. Vugar Masimoglu â€“ APA. â€œTrade has no nationality, I support the opening of Alican checkpoint bordering on Armenia,â€ newly-elected head of Igdir municipality Mehmet Nuri Gunesh said in his interview to a local newspaper, APA reports. Mehmet Nuri Gunesh, who represents Democratic Society Party (DTP) protecting the rights of the Kurds, criticized severe policy of previous heads of the municipality against Armenia.
â€œThe previous heads of the municipality did not have any demands or targets concerning this issue. We denied our neighbors and our neighbors denied us. We have not established any cultural or commercial dialogue with Armenia. We did not open out our arms to them, did nothing to know them better. No project was implemented together with the neighboring countries. Trade has no nationality. Turkish goods are sold in all shops of Yerevan. People from Trabzon, Istanbul, Ankara and Rize go to Armenia through Iran for trade. Why should not we do it having 15km distance. I will discuss historical issues, but establish commercial relations. I support the opening of Alican checkpoint. If there is no dialogue with Armenians, we will not understand each other,â€ he said.

Mehmet Nuri Gunesh was elected head of Igdir municipality from DTP in the local elections on March 29. At the HADEP congress he threw the flag of Turkey, stuck PKK flag and photo of terrorist Abdullah Ocalan. He was sentenced to 4 and a half years for committing crime against the state. He supports establishment of relations with Armenia and policy of opening borders.