BORDERS WITH ARMENIA CAN BE OPENED

TURKISH PARLIAMENTARIANS VISITING US: THE BORDERS WITH ARMENIA CAN BE OPENED AFTER NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT IS SOLVED
APA

Members of Turkish parliament Shukru Elekdag (CHP), Murat Merjan (AKP), Nursuna Memejan (AKP) and Mithat Melen (MHP) met with experts on Turkey and journalists in the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, APA’s US bureau reports. CSIS director for Turkey Bulent Alirza chaired the discussions.

The discussions focused on the issues causing tension between the two countries.
Chairman of Turkish parliament’s foreign affairs committee Murat Merjan said during Obama’s presidency the U.S. policy aimed at holding dialogue, not creating tension. The parliamentarian said Turkey pursued multiple-vector foreign policy after the collapse of the Soviet Union and noted that it was connected with four big conflicts around the country. He said the philosophy of Turkey’s foreign policy consisted of “zero problem” item, integrating into Europe and using its political influence.
“This political influence was seen in the Balkans, Syria and in the recent war between Georgia and Russia. Turkey is a pro-western country and bears responsibility for the ongoing processes in the region,” he said.
Touching on the country’s policy with regard to Armenia, the parliamentarian said their aim was not only to establish relations with official Yerevan, but also to serve establishment of peace in the Caucasus.
Parliamentarian from CHP Shukru Elekdag Turkey was concerned over the so-called Armenian genocide, PKK terrorist organization in the north of Iraq and Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Former Turkish ambassador to the U.S. said:
“The borders with Armenia should not be opened”.
He said it can be done after Nagorno Karabakh conflict is solved.
MP touching upon PKK issue stated that they were supported by the Republic of North Iraq and noted that Barack Obama would not recognize developments in 1915 as genocide during his traditional message on April 24, 2009. Elekdag stated that relations between Israel and Turkey on military, economy, and tourism were at high level and both of countries are strategic partners.
MP Mithat Melen from MHP touching upon developments in 1915 said that the problems is not linked with Armenia, but Armenian Diaspora. The poor Armenia is not interested in adoption of resolution by the US on so-called genocide. He mentioned that 80.000 Armenians worked in Istanbul. Melen noted that we should not forget the interests of Azerbaijan on Nagorno Karabakh conflict while establishing business relations with Armenia. He added that Turkey needed the energy resources transmitted via Azerbaijan and business done with North Iraq. To him, if there are not business relations, there wil not the development of the region.
After the assembly Shukru Elekdag gave an interview to APA U.S bureau and commented on restoration of Armenia-Turkey relations.
“Turkey should not open the border with Armenia without solution to Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Turkey can loose Azerbaijan in such kind of situation. What will be the fate of the word” one nation, two states”? How early have we forgotten it? We are not against the restoration of the relations with Armenia. We should do it after solution to the conflict. If the borders open, we will leave Azerbaijan alone and the power of Azerbaijan will decrease in negotiation process,” he said.
Elekdag commented on the fact that three subjects – Nagorno Karabakh conflict, so-called Armenian genocide, opening of borders with Armenia were debated during Turkey-Armenia negotiations.
“If these three issues are solved at the same time, there will not be any problem. The borders between the two countries will not open in 2009,” he said.