He says the main condition for normalization of relations with Armenia is the end of Armenian occupation in Azerbaijan.
As tensions mount between Turkey and Azerbaijan, the leader of Turkey's main opposition party warned the government that reopening the Turkish-Armenian border would be an indirect recognition of the Armenian occupation in Azerbaijan.
"If the border is opened, the occupation will have been safeguarded," Republican People's Party, or CHP, leader Deniz Baykal told reporters before his party's meeting Saturday.
Both Azerbaijani leaders and public opinion have expressed serious concerns over the possibility of the border between Turkey and Armenia being re-opened. Baku's reaction to reports that Ankara and Yerevan are close to a deal is no secret. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev refused to attend the Alliance of Civilizations summit in Istanbul earlier this month, a move that was seen as a protest against the pending border move.
As the protocol on the opening of the border is an international document, it needs to be approved by either the Cabinet or Parliament. Its endorsement by Parliament could be in jeopardy over the negative reactions from the opposition, including the CHP and the Nationalist Movement Party, or MHP. "Turkey closed its border with Armenia in protest of the occupation of Azerbaijan," Baykal said.
"This has nothing to do with historical conflict. The issue on the opening of the border can only be considered with the occupation of Azerbaijan. The border was closed due to the occupation and it can be opened only if the occupation ends."
Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993 in support of Azerbaijan during its conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
"Opening the border is an issue that you cannot close after opening by saying that 'my expectations were not fulfilled,'" Baykal said. "Armenia acted unfriendly toward Azerbaijan and the border was closed. Opening the border means indirect recognition of the Armenian occupation in Azerbaijan. The only condition that you can tie to the opening of the border is the guarantee that Azerbaijan
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