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Turkey not to open borders with Armenia, ambassador says

Politics Materials 15 August 2014 20:52 (UTC +04:00)
The reports on opening of borders between Turkey and Armenia are nothing more than a rumor,
Turkey not to open borders with Armenia, ambassador says

Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 15

By Elchin Mehdiyev - Trend:

The reports on opening of borders between Turkey and Armenia are nothing more than a rumor, Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Ismail Alper Coskun told reporters on Aug. 15.

He was commenting on the reports by some media on the possibility of opening the Turkish-Armenian border following the creation of a new government in Turkey.

"Current Turkish President Abdullah Gul's representative for foreign affairs clarified this issue," the ambassador said. "I have been an ambassador in Baku for two years, and always answering this question I say that the opening of borders is impossible."

Ambassador Coskun added that he can not say who and why is spreading such information, but he is always ready to tirelessly and calmly respond to this question.

"Because, Turkey's attitude to this issue is well-known, and there is no need for discussions," the diplomat underscored.

Some media outlets claimed that in anticipation of "the 100th anniversary" of the fictitious Armenian genocide, Turkey will in 2015 open borders with Armenia.

The diplomatic relations between Turkey and Armenia were severed in 1993.

The break in relations and closing of the Turkish-Armenian border in 1993 were due to Armenia's claims for recognition of the "Armenian genocide" in the world, as well as Armenia's occupation of Azerbaijani lands.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan.

As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The two countries signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and the U.S. are currently holding peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented four U.N. Security Council resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.

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