Opening of the Turkish-Armenian border before the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is resolved will be mistake, the Turkish TRT-2 channel quoted the opposition Republic party leader Deniz Baykal as saying.
The closed Turkish-Armenian borders as the result of the occupation of Azerbaijani territories in 1992 has damaged Armenia's economy. Turkey should make right decision on opening borders, Baykal said.
"Solution of the Armenian-Turkish problem must be interconnected with resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," Baykal said.
Turkey can use of the closed borders with Armenia, and force Armenia to stop occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh, which was recognized by the international community and UN as violation of international law.
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.
"Peace in the Caucasus depends on cessation of Armenian occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh," Baykal added.
The Turkish Government should make a statement to improve the ties with Armenia.
So far Armenia has never refused from occupation of Azerbaijani territories and claims of Armenian genocide. This proves that Erevan is not ready for a dialogue, he said.
Armenian-Turkish ties have been severed since 1993 due to Armenia's claims of an alleged genocide, and the country's occupation of 20 percent of Azerbaijani lands.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul visited Yerevan on Sept. 6, 2008 upon the invitation of his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sarkisyan to watch an Armenia-Turkey football match.
Efforts have been made to normalize ties between the two countries ever since.
Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at: [email protected]