Foreign

Home page

Foreign

Araz Azimov: â€œTurkish-Armenian protocols will not have positive impact on the conflict solutions and regional developmentâ€

01 October 2009 09:34 (UTC +04:00)

The Deputy Minister reminded that Turkey closed borders with Armenia in 1993 because of occupation of Nagorno Karabakh and nearby regions by Armenia. â€œWe could see restoration of Turkish-Armenian bilateral relations as appositive development. We understand that Turkey should solve principal issues with Armenia within its interests. Conceptual understandings could be positive steps toward this because Armenia says it is ready to lift all conditions it made previously and it shows the changes in Armeniaâ€™s position. But the sides donâ€™t need to rush. Political stands are not clear in Armenia yet and most part of Turkish community is also against the opening of borders with Armenia until its withdrawal from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. There is an emotional and very principal reaction in Azerbaijan too. Our position is that any steps, including signing of protocols will not promote the solution to the conflict and change Armeniaâ€™s position without achieving progress in the process of settlement of Nagorno Karabakh problem. I donâ€™t believe that the changes could be positive. It will be to the point to notice that following the first statement by Switzerland on Turkish-Armenian relations in April, 2009, Armenia showed strong position in the Nagorno Karabakh negotiations in May. We can expect for most important events of last 15 years in the future, which can influence on the process and region as well.â€