Turkish FM rules out premature approval of Armenia deal
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has said
there is no hope for parliamentary approval of the documents on
mending ties recently signed with Armenia until the
Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh is
settled.
Davutoglu told Qatar`s Al Jazeera TV channel that ratification of such an agreement in the Turkish Grand National Assembly requires a conducive political and psychological environment.
``We want to create the political and psychological grounds for approval of the protocols in parliament. This requires progress in the ongoing talks on Garabagh conflict settlement as the occupation of Azerbaijani territory has turned into Turkey`s problem, as well.``
Davutoglu added that the Turkish government is guided by the country`s Constitution and cannot put pressure on the legislature over endorsing the protocols.
Turkey and Armenia have faced differences for decades. Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993 due to Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani territory and claims of the 1915 genocide in Ottoman Turkey. In a bid to normalize ties, Turkey signed protocols to establish diplomatic relations and reopen its border with Armenia in Zurich on October 10. The move has triggered a cool-down in its relations with Azerbaijan, Turkey`s ally. However, Turkish officials have pledged that Ankara could normalize ties with Yerevan only after the Garabagh conflict has been fairly settled.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Al Jazeera that Ankara was expecting advances in Garabagh settlement. Erdogan said he stressed during his talks with the Russian and US presidents that an urgent solution of the long-standing dispute was pivotal for fully normalizing his country`s relations with Armenia. The Turkish premier also conveyed Ankara`s position on the situation in the turbulent region during discussions with his French counterpart.
According to Erdogan, Ankara and Yerevan are not holding any secret talks. ``Turkey wants peace and stability in the region and agreed to a normalization of ties with Armenia for this reason,`` Erdogan said.
Davutoglu told Qatar`s Al Jazeera TV channel that ratification of such an agreement in the Turkish Grand National Assembly requires a conducive political and psychological environment.
``We want to create the political and psychological grounds for approval of the protocols in parliament. This requires progress in the ongoing talks on Garabagh conflict settlement as the occupation of Azerbaijani territory has turned into Turkey`s problem, as well.``
Davutoglu added that the Turkish government is guided by the country`s Constitution and cannot put pressure on the legislature over endorsing the protocols.
Turkey and Armenia have faced differences for decades. Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993 due to Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani territory and claims of the 1915 genocide in Ottoman Turkey. In a bid to normalize ties, Turkey signed protocols to establish diplomatic relations and reopen its border with Armenia in Zurich on October 10. The move has triggered a cool-down in its relations with Azerbaijan, Turkey`s ally. However, Turkish officials have pledged that Ankara could normalize ties with Yerevan only after the Garabagh conflict has been fairly settled.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Al Jazeera that Ankara was expecting advances in Garabagh settlement. Erdogan said he stressed during his talks with the Russian and US presidents that an urgent solution of the long-standing dispute was pivotal for fully normalizing his country`s relations with Armenia. The Turkish premier also conveyed Ankara`s position on the situation in the turbulent region during discussions with his French counterpart.
According to Erdogan, Ankara and Yerevan are not holding any secret talks. ``Turkey wants peace and stability in the region and agreed to a normalization of ties with Armenia for this reason,`` Erdogan said.
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