Turkish MFA denies possibility to open border with ArmeniaNovember 8, 2013 - 16:44 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Turkish Foreign Ministry denied media reports suggesting that Ankara is trying to obtain Azeri consent for opening the border with Armenia. According to Trend News, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Levent Gumrukcu refuted the reports. As Turkish embassy in Azerbaijan noted, the Armenian-Turkish talks are held parallel to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement negotiations, with Ankara repeatedly stating the above. "Turkey closely follows the OSCE Minsk Group’s activities and is ready to take any steps for rapid resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict," the embassy stressed. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu hinted at a possibility of opening the Armenian-Turkish border during a meeting of the parliamentary committee on foreign relations. According to Akşam newspaper, Nationalist Movement Party member Sinan Ogan asked the minister whether the works carried out near the Armenian-Turkish border in Igdir province, as well as railway repair might imply opening of the border. Davutoglu confirmed the possibility of opening the border before 2015 and said he will visit Baku in the near future to discuss the issue with the Azerbaijani leadership. At the same time, he again linked opening of the border with the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, saying: “If Armenia withdraws troops from Karabakh, we will open the border and restore railway communication.” Related links: The Armenian-Turkish Protocols The Protocols aimed at normalization of bilateral ties and opening of the border between Armenia and Turkey were signed in Zurich by Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu on October 10, 2009, after a series of diplomatic talks held through Swiss mediation. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |