Trend, Azerbaijan
Nov 13 2009
Protocols allow Armenia to get tough with Azerbaijan: MP
Azerbaijan, Baku, Nov. 13 / Trend News H.Nasibova /
The signing of the Turkish-Armenian protocols allows Yerevan to take a
tougher stance on Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani MP Ganira Pashayeva said at
the 21st-Century University in Ankara at an event dedicated to
Azerbaijani-Turkish relations.
"The signing of the protocols will allow Armenia to have a tougher
stance on Azerbaijan," the MP said.
Turkish and Armenian foreign ministers Ahmet Davutoglu and Edward
Nalbandian signed the Ankara-Yerevan protocols in Zurich Oct. 10.
Turkey and Armenia in the talks mediated by Switzerland reached an
agreement to launch "domestic political consultations" Aug. 31 to sign
the "Protocol on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations and
Protocol on the Development of Bilateral Relations," the Turkish
Foreign Ministry reported.
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.
According to Pashayeva, Armenia expects an even greater concession
from Azerbaijan after signing these protocols.
Unfortunately, Yerevan holds a strong "trump card," as the country
occupies Azerbaijani lands.
Azerbaijan’s trump card was that so far the Turkish-Armenian border
has been closed, which struck a severe blow to the Armenian economy,
she said.
According to the MP, the Ankara-Yerevan protocols deprived Azerbaijan
of this trump card.
Moscow is interested in opening the Turkey-Armenia border to improve
the economic situation in Armenia, she added.
Pashayeva said Azerbaijan has two choices – to apply military or
diplomatic pressure.
"The probability of war is not great. But in terms of diplomatic
pressure, this is even more difficult after the signing of the
Ankara-Yerevan protocols," she said.
After signing the Ankara-Yerevan protocols, Turkey said it will not
open its borders until Azerbaijani lands have been de-occupied.
However, no documents were issued supporting these claims.
Today Ankara hosted an event dedicated to Turkish-Azerbaijani
relations. Turkish intellectuals and Azerbaijani MPs Ganira Pashayeva
and Rabiyat Aslanova attended the meeting.