Only Armenia will benefit from opening of borders: Azerbaijani MP

"Opening of borders is against interests of both Azerbaijan and Turkey. Socio-economic conditions are deteriorating in Armenia at the moment. Opening of borders will stimulate Armenia's economic development to a certain degree," Pashayeva told reporters on April 9.

Different circles in Turkey claim Turkey-Armenia borders will be opened.

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.

She said opening of Turkey-Armenian border will not help resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. "On the contrary, Armenia will strengthen. I hope Turkey will analyze this issue and will not open borders," she said.

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/