03 April 2009
AssA-Irada

The reports concerning possible opening of the Turkey-Armenia border triggered heated discussions in the Azerbaijani parliament on Friday.

The media has been publishing reports that Turkey and Armenia, which have been at odds for many years, would take the step this month. Ankara has neither confirmed nor dismissed the reports.

Igbal Aghazada, the leader of the opposition Umid (Hope) Party, said it was unknown how accurate the reports actually were. He also suggested holding a closed-door session in the legislature to discuss the issue.

Aghazada maintained that Turkey’s ruling AK (Justice and Development) party was behind Ankara’s latest steps.

“But Turkey’s policy cannot be determined by a single political party. A number of parties, public organizations and civil society institutions in the country proper are concerned over the reports concerning the border opening,” the party leader said, adding that Azerbaijani parliament members should therefore visit Turkey and hold meetings with the broad public and party representatives.

Gudrat Hasanguliyev, chairman of the Whole Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, went as far as accusing the incumbent Turkish leadership of “betraying Azerbaijan.” He believes the Erdogan government is pursuing a policy aimed at rapprochement with arch-foe Armenia to the detriment of Baku’s interests, which has dealt a severe psychological blow upon the Azerbaijani people.

“But, despite all this, Turkey is a fraternal country for us. I believe Anatolian Turks will timely air their objection to this policy of the AK party.”

Zahid Oruj, deputy chairman of pro-government Ana Vatan party, said the fact that the Turkish-Armenian border remains closed is not merely a matter of economics or geography.

“Azerbaijan does not beware of Armenia’s extricating itself from the economic crisis after the border opens either,” said Oruj. “What raises concerns is the Turkish government’s attempts to eliminate the psychological boundaries that have existed between the Turkic world and Armenians for many years.”

Oruj emphasized that Ankara was fraternizing the Turks and Armenians with its policy.

“We have to come out against this policy. Chairman of the Great National Assembly (Turkish parliament) Koksal Toptan should be invited to Azerbaijan and our concerns are to be conveyed to him,” the Ana Vatan deputy chairman suggested. Speaker Ogtay Asadov agreed that the opening of the Turkish-Armenian border would not be in Azerbaijan’s favor.

Further, he noted that some political analysts claim that the measure would actually benefit the country. “But this is not the case at all. We have to work in this direction and step up our activity,”

The speaker noted that Azerbaijani woman lawmakers have received an invitation from the Turkish parliament. They are now expected to discuss the mentioned issues both in the neighboring country’s legislature and with its party leaders. In addition to that, Turkish MPs have been invited to visit Azerbaijan.