Azernews.Az

The Turkish Grand National Assembly’s (parliament) commission on foreign affairs does not plan to discuss the protocols on mending ties signed with Armenia at this point, its chairman, Murat Mercan, has told the press during a visit to Baku.
In an effort to normalize ties, Ankara and Yerevan signed protocols to establish diplomatic relations and reopen their borders in Zurich on October 10, which, however, require ratification in both countries’ parliaments. The documents must be first approved at the Turkish parliamentary commission on foreign affairs before being put on general discussion in the legislature.
According to Mercan, the commission’s agenda is determined by its members proper. Moreover, the documents it receives are not put on discussion immediately. For instance, there are some documents which have been awaiting approval since 2000.
Mercan noted that no measure that will spark the Azerbaijani people’s concerns will pass in the Grand National Assembly. Turkish lawmakers will remain committed to the pledges made by the country’s president and prime minister that the border with Armenia will not open until the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict has been resolved.
"We will not pass any decision on the protocols signed with Armenia that could upset the Azerbaijani and Turkish people," Mercan added.
Turkey and Armenia face decades of enmity. Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993 due to Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani territory and claims on genocide allegedly committed during World War I. *