Azerbaijan, Baku / corr Trend I.Alizade / Vafa Guluzade, former Azerbaijani adviser on foreign policy and political expert, said that Ankara is to make the decision on the opening of the Turkish-Armenian border and Oskanian [Armenian Foreign Minister] is unaware of the issue he is speaking of. He was commenting on a statement by the Armenian Foreign Minister on the opening of the Turkish-Armenian border.
Guluzade noted that Turkey may open its border with the neighbouring country as a result of pressure from the US Government and the Armenian lobby of the United States. "However, in exchange Turkey could achieve something. Turkey will not open its border," he added.
The issue on the opening of the Turkish-Armenian border does not depend on political forces which will come to state power. This is Ankara's state policy.
" Armenia still accuses Turkey of the alleged 'Armenian genocide' and is still occupying Azerbaijani territory. Therefore, the border will not be opened," he stressed.
The borders will be kept closed until Armenia is Russia's ally. The Turkish-Armenian border is closed due to Russia's policy.
" Russia is decisively against the opening of borders, because Turkey is a NATO member-country and once the borders are open Armenia, an outpost of Russia, will establish economic bonds with this country. As a result Armenia will slowly move away from Russia and come close to NATO. So, Moscow will not allow the opening of the border." Guluzade stressed.
Rasim Muzabayev, a political scientist, said that no political force in Turkey is willing to establish relations with Armenia despite Armenia's dreams. Oskanian's hope in this issue is groundless.
He explained the non-opening of the borders with Armenia's groundless claims on Turkey.
"However, Azerbaijan occupies an important place in Turkey's policy. Armenia's groundless claims on Turkey and the occupation of the Nagorno-Karabakh by Armenia greatly affect the issue," he noted.
If Armenian back down from their claims on Turkey a proposal on opening of borders will be included in the agenda and Ankara will certainly hold consultations with Azerbaijan on this issue.
Meanwhile, the Armenian Foreign Minister, Vardan Oskanian, stated after meeting with his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul that Turkey should open its border with Armenia. Talking to journalists Oskanian noted the importance of commencing economic cooperation. He voiced his hopes that after the 22 July parliamentary elections in Turkey the new Government will consider the issue of the opening of the state border.
Turkey closed its state border with Armenia in 1993 to protest the occupation of 20% of Azerbaijan's territory by Armenians. Ankara and Yerevan are in disagreement on the alleged 'Armenian genocide', which Armenia says occurred in 1915.
Ankara stated that it will not open its borders with Armenia until the latter withdraws its troops from the occupied territory of Azerbaijan. Turkey proposed establishing a joint commission to set up research into the events of 1915.