According to the Turkish Zaman newspaper–talk of a possible opening of Turkey’s border with Armenia–in the wake of the European Union’s (EU) decision to begin accession talks with Turkey–has become a big issue in Azerbaijan.
While a public opinion poll reveals that the majority of Azeris oppose any concession by Turkey on the issue–politicians have also been vocal.
"As long as Armenia’s do not withdraw from Azerbaijani territories–the Turkey-Armenian borders should not be opened," said a spokesman for Azerbaijan’s parliament Murtiz Alesgerov–adding that if negotiations do not resolve the Mountainous Karabagh conflict–then Azeris would regain their territory through military means.
Addressing the border issue–Azeri parliament president Aleskerov told a group of Turkish journalists–"Armenia’s are Armenia’s and the enemy is the enemy; there can’t be anything else?If Armenia’s do not withdraw from the occupied territories–Turkey will not open the borders towards that country. This issue shapes Turkey’s main policy. Turkey will be loyal to this issue."