AZERI FOREIGN MINISTER, US OFFICIAL DISCUSS OPENING TURKISH-ARMENIAN BORDER

ANS TV
April 16 2009
Azerbaijan

New positions concerning the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict have
emerged in the region, but opening the Turkish-Armenian border
without the conflict being resolved runs counter to Azerbaijan’s
national interests, [Azerbaijani] Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov
has said. The concern brought about by the possible opening of the
Turkish-Armenian border was also discussed at today’s meeting between
Mammadyarov and the US co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, Matthew Bryza.

The minister added that it is wrong to portray the visit of the
Azerbaijani president to Moscow [on 16-17 April] as a gesture of
protest against Turkey since the visit was scheduled back in the
beginning of 2009.

[Elmar Mammadyarov, captioned, speaking at a news conference] Some new
positions pertaining to the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict have emerged
in the region. We also discussed this issue with Matthew Bryza and
we reiterated Azerbaijan’s position, which you know.

First, we discussed issues related to the Turkish-Armenian border. You
already know Azerbaijan’s position. We did not discuss the position
of other countries. However, if the Armenian troops do not withdraw
from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, this would certainly
run counter to our national interests.