Azerbaijan, Baku, September 30 / Trend A. Huseynbala /
A decision to sign 'road map' with Turkey was suggested at a meeting of Azerbaijani Milli Majlis (Parliament) on September 30.
"It is necessary for Azerbaijan to sign 'road map' with official Ankara before signing of the protocol on establishment of diplomatic relations between Turkey and Armenia scheduled for October 10. Turkey must take obligations on issues that can harm Azerbaijani interests," MP, deputy chairman of Azerbaijani pro-governmental party 'Ana Veten', Zahid Oruj, said at a meeting on September 30.
Final variant of the protocol will be signed between Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and his Armenian counterpart Edward Nalbandian on October 10-11, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told media earlier.
Turkey and Armenia achieved the agreement to launch 'internal political consultations' concerning signing of 'Protocol on establishment of diplomatic relations' and 'Protocol on development of bilateral relations' during the talks under Switzerland's mediation, Turkish foreign ministry said in August.
"Political consultations will complete during six weeks. Afterwards, two protocols will be signed. Then they will be submitted for approval of both countries' parliaments," Turkish foreign ministry said.
There are no diplomatic relations between Turkey and Armenia. The border between them has been closed since 1993.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan lost all of Nagorno-Karabakh except for Shusha and Khojali in December 1991. In 1992-93, Armenian armed forces occupied Shusha, Khojali and 7 districts surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France, and the U.S. - are currently holding the peace negotiations.
Oruj said that opening of Turkish-Armenian border can seriously impact the processes in the region. The first deputy speaker Ziyafet Askerov voiced his anxiety concerning this issue.
"We believe that Turkey will not take any actions contradicting Azerbaijani interests," he said.
Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at [email protected]