Azerbaijan, Baku, Aug. 18 / Trend R.Hafizoglu /
Ankara will not open its border with Armenia for NATO exercises in September, Former Adviser of the Turkish Intelligence Mahir Kaynak told Trend.
"Turkey has not changed its position on opening of the borders, even for NATO exercises," Kaynak told over the phone. "The borders will remain closed until the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is solved."
Earlier, the Turkish media 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.
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.
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.
"Turkey's position on this matter is clear. Ruling party [Justice and Development] is not going to take this step, especially on the eve of the referendum," Kaynak said.
Turkey will hold a general referendum to amend the current constitution Sept.12.
The changes include the extension of presidential powers, re-nomination of the president, whose term has expired, implementation of ombudsman activities in the country and complication of the closure of political parties.
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