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TURKISH MP ON WHETHER TURKEY WILL OPEN BORDER WITH ARMENIA FOR NATO EXERCISES
Today
http://www.today.az/news/regions/72863.html
Sept 1 2010
Azerbaijan
Interview with member of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey
(Parliament), Chairman of the Parliamentary Commission on Foreign
Relations and member of the ruling Justice and Development Party
Murat Mercan.
Lately, Azerbaijani and Turkish societies have been concerned over
the possible opening of the Armenia-Turkey border due to the upcoming
NATO exercises to take place in Armenia in September...
Turkey's stance on opening of the Armenia-Turkey border voiced by
the president, prime minister, speaker of the parliament and foreign
minister remains unchanged. Our position is clear enough. Turkey is
not going to consider border opening with Armenia until Karabakh
conflict resolution sees progress and Azerbaijan's occupied lands
are freed from occupation.
Speculations on this subject appear in the Armenian press from time
to time. Turkey has made no changes to this condition.
What results can the upcoming September summit of Turkic countries
in Istanbul have? Will the summit discuss resolution of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?
The summit's agenda is not known yet. In any case, such meetings will
serve not only greater economic integration, but also consolidation
of positions of the Turkic countries on political issues.
Turkey took over chairmanship in the UN Security Council today. What
steps Turkey plans to take as Security Council chair in terms of
settlement of the Karabakh conflict?
It requires peaceful intentions from Armenia to resolve the Karabakh
conflict. This is the main condition for a settlement. Without this,
all attempts by international organizations to achieve progress in
resolving the Karabakh problem will be futile.
Turkey suggested to conclude a security pact in the South Caucasus
in 2008. Will it go ahead with this initiative?
Turkey is interested in sustainable peace and confidence in the
South Caucasus. The recent expansion of the Turkish-Russian relations
creates a good platform to establish peace in the region. I am sure
that Turkey will continue to pursue a policy in this direction.
What events can we expect to occur in Azerbaijani-Turkish relations
in the near future?
I think it is time to implement the principle of "one nation - two
states" in all aspects. This applies particularly to the economic
and cultural cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkey.
Can we say that the process of restoring the Armenian-Turkish
relations, known as "football diplomacy", finally stayed in the
history?
No. Everything depends on Armenia's implementation of conditions set
by Turkey. If these conditions are fulfilled, Turkey will take up
the issue of ratification of the Armenian-Turkish protocols once again.
First and foremost, it concerns a condition of liberation of
Azerbaijan's occupied territories.
How do you see development of the existing strategic cooperation
between Azerbaijan and Turkey in the military sphere?
Strategic cooperation between our two countries is possible in any area
or in any form. This comes from the general principle for all of us:
"one nation - two states."
From: A. Papazian
Today
http://www.today.az/news/regions/72863.html
Sept 1 2010
Azerbaijan
Interview with member of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey
(Parliament), Chairman of the Parliamentary Commission on Foreign
Relations and member of the ruling Justice and Development Party
Murat Mercan.
Lately, Azerbaijani and Turkish societies have been concerned over
the possible opening of the Armenia-Turkey border due to the upcoming
NATO exercises to take place in Armenia in September...
Turkey's stance on opening of the Armenia-Turkey border voiced by
the president, prime minister, speaker of the parliament and foreign
minister remains unchanged. Our position is clear enough. Turkey is
not going to consider border opening with Armenia until Karabakh
conflict resolution sees progress and Azerbaijan's occupied lands
are freed from occupation.
Speculations on this subject appear in the Armenian press from time
to time. Turkey has made no changes to this condition.
What results can the upcoming September summit of Turkic countries
in Istanbul have? Will the summit discuss resolution of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?
The summit's agenda is not known yet. In any case, such meetings will
serve not only greater economic integration, but also consolidation
of positions of the Turkic countries on political issues.
Turkey took over chairmanship in the UN Security Council today. What
steps Turkey plans to take as Security Council chair in terms of
settlement of the Karabakh conflict?
It requires peaceful intentions from Armenia to resolve the Karabakh
conflict. This is the main condition for a settlement. Without this,
all attempts by international organizations to achieve progress in
resolving the Karabakh problem will be futile.
Turkey suggested to conclude a security pact in the South Caucasus
in 2008. Will it go ahead with this initiative?
Turkey is interested in sustainable peace and confidence in the
South Caucasus. The recent expansion of the Turkish-Russian relations
creates a good platform to establish peace in the region. I am sure
that Turkey will continue to pursue a policy in this direction.
What events can we expect to occur in Azerbaijani-Turkish relations
in the near future?
I think it is time to implement the principle of "one nation - two
states" in all aspects. This applies particularly to the economic
and cultural cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkey.
Can we say that the process of restoring the Armenian-Turkish
relations, known as "football diplomacy", finally stayed in the
history?
No. Everything depends on Armenia's implementation of conditions set
by Turkey. If these conditions are fulfilled, Turkey will take up
the issue of ratification of the Armenian-Turkish protocols once again.
First and foremost, it concerns a condition of liberation of
Azerbaijan's occupied territories.
How do you see development of the existing strategic cooperation
between Azerbaijan and Turkey in the military sphere?
Strategic cooperation between our two countries is possible in any area
or in any form. This comes from the general principle for all of us:
"one nation - two states."
From: A. Papazian