The normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations before the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict runs counter to Azerbaijan’s interests and casts a shadow on fraternal relations with Turkey, says a statement issued by the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the occasion of the signing of the Armenian-Turkish Protocols in Zurich, Switzerland.

In his Friday interview with the AZ-TV channel, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated that the Armenian side would present the reopening of the Armenian-Turkish border as its diplomatic success and take a harder line on Nagorno-Karabakh. “We have sufficient grounds to assert this, the events at different stages of the negotiations are evidence thereof,” Aliyev said. “I am sure that both the processes – the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process and the Armenia-Turkey normalization process – must be simultaneous,” Aliyev said.

The Azeri leader stated that “although there is no formal link between them, they are informally linked. This link must be preserved, and both the processes must be simultaneous. Otherwise, the status quo may changed for the worse in the region.” This scenario may “give rise to undesirable processes in the region.”

“It was immediately after the Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan that the Turkish-Armenian border was closed. And any talks about the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations are groundless before the occupied territories of Azerbaijan are vacated. However, the processes taking place in the region and superpowers’ involvement in them are supposed to produce a positive impact on the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process. I believe it will be so. The Azerbaijani-Turkish relations are at a most high level. I believe the Turkish leaders’ promises and I am sure that the Turkish-Armenian border will not be opened before the Nagorno-Karabakh problem has been resolved,” Aliyev said.

“It is common knowledge that it was the occupation of the Kelbajar region of Azerbaijan that was the only and main reason why the Turkish-Armenian border was closed. The border has remained closed until now. Of course, the border can be opened after the problem has been resolved. This is our position. The Turkish leaders have repeatedly stated their position on this matter as well. I hope this position will be given priority, and this factor will be taken into account in the practical implementation of the Protocols,” Aliyev said.