Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan commented on the process of normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia and the issue of resettlement of Nagorno-Karabakh problem.
Stressing that processes of normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia, and resettlement of Nagorno-Karabakh problem are connected to each other behind the curtains,how much ever one tries to separate them, Erdogan said, “Closure of Turkey-Armenia borders was performed following the occupation of Azerbaijani land by Armenian forces. For opening of borders, peace should be established in the region. The trouble between Azerbaijan and Armenia should be solved. Karabakh should be deoccupied. And afterwards, Turkey-Armenia issue will be solved very easily. If Armenia has goodwill, they may initiate withdrawal of Armenian forcesfrom the regions.”
Stressing that Turkey’s next step is already planned, Erdogan said, “There are doors in front of us. We took certain risks. We initiated cargo flights and Istanbul-Yerevan flights. We opened air borders to Armenia. But land borders are different. There are so many illegal Armenian immigrants in Turkey now.”
Calling Russia to take the initiative about the issue, Erdogan said that he spoke to Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin about the issue clearly. Stressing that Russia is the most efficient country over Armenia among the co-chairs of OSCE Minks Group, Prime Minister said that the resolution of the problem will be easier if Russia takes the initiative.
