Azerbaijan, Baku, Aug.21 / Trend, M. Aliyev /
The opening of the Armenian-Turkish border within the NATO exercises strike a serious blow to the Turkish-Azerbaijani interests, Parliamentary Security and Defense Committee member Zahid Oruj told Trend today.
"The Turkish political elite hold a similar opinion, and at the moment Azerbaijan is sure that such a step will not be taken," Oruj said.
Earlier, it was reported that Turkey does not exclude the possibility of a partial and temporary opening of the Turkish-Armenian border Sept.11- 17, 2010 as part of NATO military exercises planned in Armenia. But Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu denied this information
Diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey have been broken due to Armenia's claims of an alleged genocide, and its occupation of Azerbaijani lands. The border between them has been broken since 1993.
According to Oruj, in any case, Turkey's political leadership will remain true to its statements, because the disintegration of the Turkish-Azerbaijani union will primarily strike a blow to Turkey, and have an impact on its role in the Caucasus.
"Turkey understands that, despite its vast experience of statehood and the broad military capabilities in the region, it is under international influence and pressure on the issues of "opening of the borders," Oruj said.
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 seven surrounding districts.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France, and the United States - are currently holding the peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the occupied territories.