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Representatives of Azerbaijani mass media appeal to their Turkish colleagues

07 April 2009 10:53 (UTC +04:00)

Baku â€“ APA. Representatives of Azerbaijani mass media appealed to their Turkish colleagues, APA reports. The appeal says that journalists, like the entire Azerbaijani society, are concerned over the reports that borders will be opened, diplomatic and economic relations will be established between Turkey and Armenia.
â€œThe main reasons for making this appeal is that Turkish authorities do not refute these reports, socio-political figures of the fraternal country reveal in their speeches and media facts proving establishment of relations between Armenia and Turkey. To establish relations with countries is the sovereign right of Turkey like any other country. No countries in the history closed borders forever. The most serious contradictions, conflicts, problems are solved peacefully, through negotiations. This is also inevitable in the South Caucasus region. But it is too early to speak about establishing equal-right and constructive relations with Armenia, which has claims against Turkey and Azerbaijan, is keeping Azerbaijani territories under occupation and carried out ethnic cleansing policy against Azerbaijanis,â€ the appeal says.

According to the appeal, before establishing relations between Turkey and Armenia, the causes of closed borders between these states, factors making the current situation necessary, fairness of the planned action, and finally, the influence on the relations between the two countries having the language, religion, culture and traditions of the same root should be taken into consideration.

â€œWhile closing the borders with Armenia in 1993, Turkey was guided not only by the Armenian territorial and â€œgenocideâ€ claims against it, but in sign of its loyalty and respect to the Turkic solidarity and brotherhood, emphasized the occupation of 20 percent of Azerbaijani territories, ethnic cleansing and genocide policy against Azerbaijani people among the serious reasons guided Turkey to close the borders. The Azerbaijani people also demonstrated same support and solidarity with Turkey. The Azerbaijani public community, representatives of government and civil society organizations, Diaspora communities abroad provided purposeful activity against the occupant policy of Armenia against our country, as well as its territorial and â€œgenocideâ€ claims against Turkeyâ€.

The signatories noted that refusal of comprehensive cooperation with the occupant country and closing of borders with it is an acceptable and justified political method in the world. â€œWe see and highly appreciate its signs in the current situation of Turkish-Armenian relations. Armenia refuses to fulfill UN resolutions about unconditional withdrawal of Armenian forces from the occupied Azerbaijani lands, shrugs off the summons of the Council of Europe, Organization of the Islamic Conference and other reliable international organizations and demonstrates implacable position in the OSCE Minsk Group-mediated negotiations toward the settlement of Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno Karabakh. Undoubtedly, the opening of Turkish-Armenian borders and establishing of comprehensive relations between them will be only in favor of Armenia. We believe that this action will negatively impact on the Armenian-Azerbaijani negotiation process, will justify the Armeniaâ€™s occupant policy and will encourage Armenia for new occupations. On the other hand, undoubtedly, Armenians will not leave their territorial claims against Turkey and Armenian lobby will not stop its activity toward recognition of â€œgenocideâ€ even after the establishing of relations between Turkey and Armenia. Basing on the courage of our Turkish colleagues to defend justice in the difficult moments of the history, their high professionalism, bravery and staunch character, we call you to lead the prevention of threats damaging the idea of â€œone nation, two countriesâ€. We believe that your solidarity, activity and resolute position will prevent the intentions of AKP government to open borders with Armeniaâ€.
The address was signed by the representatives of Azerbaijani mass media.