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Azerbaijani MPs and party leaders protest the opening of Turkey-Armenia borders â€“ OPINION POLL

Azerbaijani MPs and party leaders protest the opening of Turkey-Armenia borders â€“ <font color=red>OPINION POLL </font>

03 April 2009 17:13 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Elbrus Seyfullayev, Elnur Mammadli-APA. â€œThe opening of borders between Turkey and Armenia is contrary not only to the interests of Azerbaijan, but also to the interests of Turkey. Nobody in Azerbaijan believes that Turkey can take such stepâ€, Malahat Ibrahimgizi from ruling New Azerbaijan Part (YAP) told APA. According to her, opening of borders between Turkey and Armenia has become a subject of discussions after Adulla Gulâ€™s visit to Yerevan to watch the football match. She noted that Azerbaijan was seriously and justly concerned over this issue: â€œ20 percent of Azerbaijanâ€™s territories are under the occupation. It means that Armenians have occupied not only the territory of Azerbaijan, but also the international law.â€

Non-party deputy Ganira Pashayeva told APA that she was against the opening of borders between Turkey and Armenia before the liberation of Azerbaijani lands from the occupation. â€œOpening of borders is unacceptable before the solution to Nagorno Karabagh problemâ€. To her, Turkish Prime Minister has today refuted the information on opening of borders between Turkey and Armenia: â€œI would like to hope that this refutation would continue till the liberation of Azerbaijanâ€™s lands from occupationâ€.

Head of Azerbaijan-Turkey Interparliamentary Friendship Group Nizami Jafarov told APA that the opening of borders between Turkey and Armenia was not convincing. According to the MP, if such case happens the Government of Azerbaijan will protest this issue: â€œIf the borders are opened before the solution to the Nagorno Karabagh conflict the result will not be satisfactory. Turkey has already taken certain steps in this direction, but Armenia has done nothing insteadâ€.

Chairman of United Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (BAXCP), Deputy Gudrat Hasanguliyev told APA if Turkish community did not protest this issue AKP administration would open the borders with Armenia: â€œThey are seriously preparing for this. If different parties, communities, intellectuals and media of Turkey do demonstrate their strict positions in this issue, the Turkish government will realize their intentions. Turkey established economic relations with Armenia and even there are flights between the two countries, the only issue was to make these ties formalâ€. Hasanguliyev stated that it was a right step that Azerbaijani President refused to attend the â€œAlliance of Civilizationsâ€ project meeting in Turkey.

Head of Musavat Party Isa Gambar noted that he did not believe in the opening of borders between Turkey and Armenia: â€œThere is huge and global process today. And there are many players and factors in this process. And each player of this process has its own interests while making decisions. And of course Azerbaijan also has its own interests and the most important interest is to make Armenia refrain from its aggressive policy. At the same time, strategic and friendly relations should further be developed with Turkeyâ€.

Chairman of Azerbaijan Popular Front Party Ali Karimli noted that Azerbaijan was seriously and justly concerned over the opening of borders between Turkey and Armenia. The Government of Azerbaijan should speak openly in this issue. Today Iâ€™ve heard about the first steps in this respect. There should be consecutive policy and the talks should be conducted with Turkish government.