Azeri MFA: Baku 'not concerned' over informal talks between Turkey and Armenia
Azerbaijan is not concerned over informal talks between Turkey and Armenia, said Khazar Ibrahim, a spokesman for the Azeri Foreign Ministry.
"Ankara's official position is the main argument for us. If Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said Turkey's stand on the border issue remains unchanged, we hope that further moves will be taken within this policy," Ibrahim said.
In a further sign of readiness to normalize ties, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan proposed "a fresh start" in relations with Turkey in an article published in The Wall Street Journal earlier this month. Sargsyan also invited Gul to a World Cup qualifying match between Armenian and Turkish teams in September. Turkish officials say the invitation is still under consideration and that the President will decide according to developments.
"Normalization of relations with Armenia is one of priorities in Turkey's foreign policy," said Ali Babacan, Turkish Foreign Minister.
He also confirmed reports that Turkish and Armenian officials had secret talks in Switzerland on July 8.
The possibility of normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations aroused Baku's concerns.
"Political history is full of examples of untrustworthy ally relations between countries in the modern world. We should also remember that there is no place for sentiments in the politics, here the principle of personal benefit is ruling," Azeri political scientist Rasim Aghayev said.
"Ankara's official position is the main argument for us. If Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said Turkey's stand on the border issue remains unchanged, we hope that further moves will be taken within this policy," Ibrahim said.
In a further sign of readiness to normalize ties, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan proposed "a fresh start" in relations with Turkey in an article published in The Wall Street Journal earlier this month. Sargsyan also invited Gul to a World Cup qualifying match between Armenian and Turkish teams in September. Turkish officials say the invitation is still under consideration and that the President will decide according to developments.
"Normalization of relations with Armenia is one of priorities in Turkey's foreign policy," said Ali Babacan, Turkish Foreign Minister.
He also confirmed reports that Turkish and Armenian officials had secret talks in Switzerland on July 8.
The possibility of normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations aroused Baku's concerns.
"Political history is full of examples of untrustworthy ally relations between countries in the modern world. We should also remember that there is no place for sentiments in the politics, here the principle of personal benefit is ruling," Azeri political scientist Rasim Aghayev said.
