Azerbaijani MPs, woman politicians to adopt statement against opening of Turkey-Armenia border

"We will explain during the official meetings that opening Turkey-Armenia border is a wrong step," member of Azerbaijani women's delegation to Turkey Malahat Hasanova told Trend News.

Different circles in Turkey claim Turkey-Armenia borders will be opened. Azerbaijani women will visit Turkey upon the invitation by Turkish MP from Nationalist Movement Party Shenol Bal.

Turkish opposition Republican People's Party and Nationalist Movement Party urge the government to organize discussions on opening borders with Armenia.

Armenian-Turkish ties have been severed since 1993 due to Armenia's claims of an alleged genocide, and the country's occupation of 20 percent of Azerbaijani lands.

Turkish President Abdullah Gul visited Yerevan on Sept. 6, 2008 upon the invitation of his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sargsyan to watch an Armenia-Turkey football match.

Efforts have been made to normalize ties between the two countries ever since.

Hasanova said Azerbaijani politicians will meet with Turkish parliament's speaker, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister during the visit which will last from April 15 to 18.

"Armenia has committed Khojali Genocide against Azerbaijanis and occupied country's 20 percent of lands. The world community does not put pressure on Armenia on this issue, on the contrary, they demand Turkey to open borders," Hasanova added.

Azerbaijani women's delegation includes MPs Gultakin Hajiyeva, Ganira Pashayeva, Malahat Hasanova, Gular Ahmadova, Aynur Guliyeva, Lala Abbasova and Azeri-Turk Women's Union chair Tanzila Rustamkhanli.

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.

/Trend News/