Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 3 / Trend , J.Babayeva/
The governing New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) considers establishing Turkish-Armenian relations unacceptable until the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has been solved.
"Azerbaijan and Turkey are strategic allies and our relations rely on the principle of "one nation - two states". There are many ties connecting our countries. Therefore, the talks which are being held to open Turkish-Armenian borders and to establish diplomatic relations is causing anxiety to the Azerbaijani public", the NAP Deputy Executive Secretary and MP, Mubariz Gurbanli, said on the party's official website.
In the talks mediated by Switzerland, Turkey and Armenia reached an agreement to launch "internal political discussions", to sign the Protocol on Establishing Diplomatic Relations and Protocol on the Development of Bilateral Relations, the Turkish Foreign Ministry reported.
The political discussions will be completed within six weeks. Afterwards, the two protocols are to be submitted for approval and signed by the two countries' parliaments.
At present, Turkey does not plan to open borders with neighboring Armenia, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davudoglu said.
Armenian-Turkish ties have been severed since 1993.
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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