The Azerbaijani diaspora has begun negotiations with the Turkish diaspora to prevent opening of the Turkish-Armenian borders.
“We are negotiating with the Turkish diaspora and other diasporas functioning in Europe. The Turkish organizations are also protesting against opening of the Turkish-Armenian border. It is necessary to act with patience to avoid political problems,” Chairman of the Benelux Azerbaijanis Congress Elsevar Mammadov said.
Turkish and Armenian Foreign Ministers Ahmet Davutoglu and Edward Nalbandian signed the Ankara-Yerevan protocols in Zurich on Oct. 10
Armenian-Turkish ties have been severed since 1993 due to Armenia’s claims to recognize
Mammadov said the signing of the Turkey-Armenia protocols on establishment of relations does not mean opening of border.
Chairman of the Congress of Georgian Azerbaijanis Ali Babayev said they held talks with regional representatives of the Turkish Parliament.
“During the negotiations, the Azerbaijani diaspora expressed hope that Turkey will not leave the fraternal country in a difficult position. We have told them that the Turkish-Armenian borders should not be opened until the Nagorno-Karabakh problem is resolved,” Babayev said.
AZERBAIJANI VICE SPEAKER: OPENING OF TURKISH-ARMENIAN BORDER WITHOUT LIBERATION OF OCCUPIED LANDS WILL BE BLOW TO AZERBAIJAN
Opening Turkish-Armenian border without the liberation of occupied lands will be a blow to the back of Azerbaijan, said the First Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Azerbaijan.
“Azerbaijan’s position on the Armenian-Turkish relations was known in advance and we uphold it. We were against the signing of these protocols,” the First Deputy Speaker, chairman of the parliamentary committee on security and defense Ziyafet Askerov told the official website of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (YAP).
Turkish and Armenian Foreign Ministers, Ahmet Davudoglu and Edward Nalbandian signed the Ankara-Yerevan protocol in Zurich on Oct. 10.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
According to Askerov, Turkish officials said during their visits to Azerbaijan and in their country that borders with Armenia will not be opened unless Armenia puts an end to its occupation policy. “For this reason, the signing of protocols between Turkey and Armenia looks illogical. Because Armenia and Western officials have always expressed the opinion that the signing of the protocols should not be linked to the Nagorno-Karabakh problem. We supported parallel discussions over both issues. The signing ceremony in Zurich was attended by the foreign ministers of
According to Askerov, the opening of borders in the current circumstances is contrary to the interests of Azerbaijan. “If the border is opened without liberation of our occupied territories, it will be a blow to the back of Azerbaijan. Because such an action does not correspond to the logic and spirit of the friendly and brotherly relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey. This should not occur between the friendly and brotherly countries. We consider Turkey as a fraternal country and expect reciprocity. I would like to believe that these protocols will not be approved in the Turkish Parliament. President, prime minister, foreign minister and chairman of the Turkish Parliament should remain true to their words,” said the first vice speaker.
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