HistoryofTruth.com - Armenian Allegations

The signing of the Turkish-Armenian protocols allows Yerevan to take a tougher stance on Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani MP Ganira Pashayeva said at the 21st-Century University in Ankara at an event dedicated to Azerbaijani-Turkish relations.

“The signing of the protocols will allow Armenia to have a tougher stance on Azerbaijan,” the MP said.

Turkish and Armenian foreign ministers Ahmet Davutoglu and Edward Nalbandian signed the Ankara-Yerevan protocols in Zurich Oct. 10.

Turkey and Armenia in the talks mediated by Switzerland reached an agreement to launch “domestic political consultations” Aug. 31 to sign the “Protocol on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations and Protocol on the Development of Bilateral Relations,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry reported.

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 co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group — Russia, France, and the U.S. — are currently holding the peace negotiations.

According to Pashayeva, Armenia expects an even greater concession from Azerbaijan after signing these protocols.

Unfortunately, Yerevan holds a strong “trump card,” as the country occupies Azerbaijani lands.

Azerbaijan’s trump card was that so far the Turkish-Armenian border has been closed, which struck a severe blow to the Armenian economy, she said.

According to the MP, the Ankara-Yerevan protocols deprived Azerbaijan of this trump card.

Moscow is interested in opening the Turkey-Armenia border to improve the economic situation in Armenia, she added.

Pashayeva said Azerbaijan has two choices — to apply military or diplomatic pressure.

“The probability of war is not great. But in terms of diplomatic pressure, this is even more difficult after the signing of the Ankara-Yerevan protocols,” she said.

After signing the Ankara-Yerevan protocols, Turkey said it will not open its borders until Azerbaijani lands have been de-occupied. However, no documents were issued supporting these claims.

Today Ankara hosted an event dedicated to Turkish-Azerbaijani relations. Turkish intellectuals and Azerbaijani MPs Ganira Pashayeva and Rabiyat Aslanova attended the meeting.