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Suleyman Demirel: I do not realize what Turkey will profit from reopening borders with Armenia

11 April 2009 13:15 (UTC +04:00)

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Ex-president said he did not realize Turkeyâ€™s profit in that situation.

Demirel underlined that during his presidency the US several times offered to reopen Turkey-Armenia borders.
â€œEvery time I asked what Turkey will profit from it. But they could never answer my question,â€ he said.

Ex-president also clarified the causes why the US was interested in improving Turkey-Armenia relations and reopening the borders.
â€œThere are a lot of Armenian voters in the US. They also have strong Diaspora. Moreover, the US does not want Armenia to be under the influence of only Russia. So, the US tries to strengthen its positions in Armenia with the help of Turkey. This will seriously damage the positions of official Baku, because close relations between Armenia and the US are not in favor of Azerbaijan. In this case, the solution to the conflict will be protracted, this is equal to losing Nagorno Karabakh,â€ he said.

Demirel considers that if Ankara really wants to be geopolitical leader in the Caucasus, it should set such conditions and use its influence so that in the initial stage the regions around Nagorno Karabakh can be released.
â€œTurkey will profit nothing from improving relations with Armenia unless the territories are released. Why to create other problems, before solving one. It will favor only the US and Russia. Moreover, Armenia has territorial claims against Turkey and does not give up genocide allegations. Armenia has not recognized our borders, while we recognize them. They have made Agri mountain as their symbol, killed about 40 diplomats of Turkey. And now they say â€œYou committed genocide, apologizeâ€. Some countries pass decisions on the so-called genocide. I think Turkey need not improve relations with Armenia unless the above-mentioned problems are solved,â€ he said.

Turkey closed the borders with Armenia in 1993 during Suleyman Demirelâ€™s presidency.