Azerbaijan, Baku, Oct. 13 / Trend , M.Aliyev/
"We believe that Turkey will not take a step contrary to the interests of Azerbaijan," the Deputy Chairman of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP), Ali Ahmadov told journalists on Oct. 13.
Ahmadov said Ankara still has the opportunity to stand up for the interests of Baku, as the Protocols will be submitted to the parliaments of Turkey and Armenia, before they will enter into force. "Azerbaijan regrets that Turkey has not made sufficient efforts in this direction before signing of protocols on the resumption of diplomatic relations with Armenia," he said.
Ahmadov does not believe that members of the Grand National Assembly (parliament) of Turkey will ratify the protocols that are contrary to the interests of Azerbaijan.
"And you know that even after signing of the protocols, the Turkish Prime Minister said that it is impossible to open the Turkey-Armenia borders, until the Karabakh conflict is resolved. We, as the Azerbaijani government, believe that the fraternal relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey are strong enough and do not believe that these relations may sour. We believe in the statements by the Turkish Prime Minister and President that neither the Turkish government nor Turkish society will allow opening the borders without the resolution of the Karabakh conflict," said Ahmadov.
On Aug. 31, Turkey and Armenia in the talks mediated by Switzerland reached an agreement to launch "internal political consultations" to sign the Protocol on Establishment of Diplomatic Relations and Protocol on Development of Bilateral Relations, the Turkish Foreign Ministry reported.
Turkish and Armenian Foreign Ministers, Ahmet Davutoglu and Edward Nalbandian signed the protocol Ankara-Yerevan in Zurich on Oct. 10.
Armenian-Turkish ties have been severed since 1993 due to Armenia's claims to recognize so-called "Armenian genocide" and Armenia's occupation of Azerbaijani lands.
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.
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