Azerbaijan, Baku, Oct. 12 / Trend , A.Huseynbala/
The Azerbaijani-Turkish Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group will discuss the signing of the Ankara-Yerevan protocols.
In this regard, an 11-member delegation will travel to Turkey on Oct. 13.
"The delegation's high-level visit to Turkey will represent the foreign policy of Azerbaijan. Work is already underway. As part of the visit, the delegation will meet with representatives of the Turkish government," Co-Chairman of the Azerbaijani-Turkish Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group, Nizami Jafarov told Trend on Oct. 12.
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.
On Oct. 10, the foreign ministers of the two countries, Edward Nalbandian and Ahmet Davudoglu signed these documents in Zurich.
Jafarov said during the visit, they will meet with representatives of the ruling party, opposition of Turkey, as well as with authoritative leaders of the Turkish society.
"I think it will help implement the will of the Turkish state, because Turkey itself is interested in the fact that Armenia will follow the necessary international standards," said the parliamentarian.
He said the visit does not only aim to protest against the ratification of these protocols in the parliament. "One of our goals is to support the participation of the Turkish side in the process of establishing peace in the region. We want the opening of the border not to look like as Turkey's aid to Armenia," said Jafarov.
Referring to the signing of the protocols, the MP said that the first step of Turkey has been taken to avoid tension in the region. "The protocols did not reflect the situation regarding the denial of the Armenian claims to the recognition of "genocide", the liberation from the occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh, but, in fact, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict remains a priority issue. The leaders of Turkey, persons who have signed the treaty, have repeatedly noted this. And even after the signing of the protocols, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davudoglu said in his interview with TRT1 that prior to the release of seven regions around the Nagorno-Karabakh, the protocols have no legal value," he said.
Jafarov said Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has repeatedly expressed confidence in the sincerity of the Turkish leadership, and said that if the Nagorno-Karabakh issue is not resolved, the desired peace in the region will remain elusive.
"We hope that the Armenian side is aware of Turkey's sincerity and take serious steps before the first discussion of protocols in the Turkish Parliament, releasing seven occupied regions. Otherwise, I think, the Turkish parliament will not vote for ratification of the protocol," said the Co-Chair of the Friendship Group.
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