ID :
175281
Wed, 04/13/2011 - 22:59
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/175281
The shortlink copeid
Turkey's Erdogan says Turkey will defend rights of Azerbaijan
STRASBOURG (A.A) - 13.04.2011 - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday Turkey had made commitments to protect rights of Armenian people, however, he added that Turkey would also defend rights of Azerbaijan.
After his address to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Erdogan answered a question on protocols signed between Turkey and Armenia in 2009 to restore diplomatic ties and reopen their border. Protocols, however, yet to be ratified by parliaments of the two countries to take effect.
"On the issue of reopening the border, we have made commitments to protect rights of Armenian people. However, I would like to make it clear that we would also defend rights of Azerbaijani people, our friends, sisters and brothers," Erdogan said.
Erdogan said the problem on protocols would be resolved when the Minsk Group, made up of United States, France and Russia, took steps and settled the long-standing dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Upper Karabakh, a breakaway region inside Azerbaijan.
Erdogan also said that Turkey was home to around 110,000 Armenians, some 40,000 of whom were not Turkish citizens.
"We do not deport them as they are in our country because of economic difficulties," Erdogan said. "These protocols have been signed also to find a solution to this problem."
However, Erdogan said, the problem about protocols could be settled easier if Armenian government overcame its fear of the Armenian diaspora.
"When it happens, solutions will be found rapidly," he said. "We do not hold a grudge against Armenia."
After his address to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Erdogan answered a question on protocols signed between Turkey and Armenia in 2009 to restore diplomatic ties and reopen their border. Protocols, however, yet to be ratified by parliaments of the two countries to take effect.
"On the issue of reopening the border, we have made commitments to protect rights of Armenian people. However, I would like to make it clear that we would also defend rights of Azerbaijani people, our friends, sisters and brothers," Erdogan said.
Erdogan said the problem on protocols would be resolved when the Minsk Group, made up of United States, France and Russia, took steps and settled the long-standing dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Upper Karabakh, a breakaway region inside Azerbaijan.
Erdogan also said that Turkey was home to around 110,000 Armenians, some 40,000 of whom were not Turkish citizens.
"We do not deport them as they are in our country because of economic difficulties," Erdogan said. "These protocols have been signed also to find a solution to this problem."
However, Erdogan said, the problem about protocols could be settled easier if Armenian government overcame its fear of the Armenian diaspora.
"When it happens, solutions will be found rapidly," he said. "We do not hold a grudge against Armenia."
