Azerbaijan, Baku, Sep.1. / Trend R. Hafizoglu /
The Turkish oppositional National Movement Party (MHP) considers that negotiating with Armenia, Turkey will not take steps contrary to the interests of Azerbaijan.
"Turkey will not take steps against the interests of Azerbaijan, for the sake of diplomatic relations with Armenia", Turkish MP from the MHP, Shenol Bal, told Trend over the telephone.
During the negotiations under the mediation of Switzerland, Turkey and Armenia reached an agreement to launch "internal political consultations" regarding the signing of the "Protocol on establishment of diplomatic relations "and" Protocol on the development of bilateral relations," Turkish Foreign Ministry said.
The political consultations will complete within six weeks. Afterwards, two protocols to be submitted for approval by the parliaments of two countries will be signed," the same source added.
"Turkey's objective is to achieve the best relations with its neighbors and ensure peace and stability in the Caucasus," Turkish Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davudoglu, said in an interview with NTV TV channel. Ankara would consider the interests of Azerbaijan at each stage of normalization of the relations with Armenia, Davudoglu added.
The Turkish prime minister, formally guaranteed Azerbaijan that the border with Armenia will not be disclosed until the Nagorno-Karabakh conflictis settled," Bal said.
"Turkey has always been side by side with Azerbaijan. Ankara will never take action countering the brotherly nation's interests," Bal added.
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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