Opening the borders between Turkey and Armenia is impossible under the present situation, the Head of the Igdir Municipality of Turkey, Nurettin Aras, stated in an exclusive interview with Trend.
According to him, the European Union (EU) member-countries insist on opening the Turkish-Armenian borders. There are no relations between Turkey's entrance to the European Union and the opening of the borders with Armenia, and it does not reflect within the Helsinki Charter. However, the EU Head and member-countries are constantly pressurizing Turkey on this issue and calls for its borders to open. This matter is touched upon at each level and the pressure is unavoidable, Aras said. He stressed that recently, a number of countries put this question as a condition for Turkey's entrance into the European Union. Will the borders be opened as a result of these pressures? Never!!! The Turkish Constitution does not allow it, he added.
According to Aras, to open the Turkish-Armenian borders it needs not only to recognize the existing borders, but also Armenia should improve its relations with Azerbaijan, as well as open the transport route to Baku.
Aras positively assessed the initiatives to open a transit corridor between Turkey, Azerbaijan and Iran via Nakchivan Autonomous Republic. Together with the opening of the rail link Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku, there is no reason not to support the construction of the railway stretches to Iran through Nakchivan. It will be of mutual benefit. Consequently, the Silk Route will develop, Aras concluded.
