Opening of Armenian border linked to Karabakh, Turkish lawmaker saysApril 14, 2009 - 15:56 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A senior Turkish lawmaker has said the opening of the border between Turkey and Armenia is part of a larger package that also includes settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh problem."Opening the border is not a matter started by U.S. President Barack Obama's recent visit to Turkey," Yasar Yakis, the head of Parliament's EU Harmonization Commission, told reporters on Sunday. "The issue has been on the table since 2007, and Switzerland is involved," Yakis said. Turkish and Armenian diplomats have been holding closed-door talks to normalize ties since 2007. It is not clear what role Switzerland plays, but the talks are believed to be hosted by it. Some say Switzerland is also a mediator, but there has been no official statement detailing its involvement. Yakis said Turkey had no problems with the people of Armenia. "There is a problem caused by the Armenian Diaspora," he said. "Mr. Obama brought up the matter during his visit to Turkey after momentum was created by the Armenian Diaspora in the United States," he said, noting there is an impression that Turkey would open the border without resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute. "Such an impression is not correct," he said, Tosday's Zaman reported. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenia calls for prohibiting threats of attacks on nuclear facilities Armenia has raised the need for a treaty prohibiting attacks on nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful purposes. Ameriabank's Trade Finance portfolio enriched with four prestigious awards from EBRD and IFC Ameriabank received the awards from international financial institutions in recognition of its trade finance operations. Armenian Economy Minister to make trip to UAE May 20-22 A delegation led by Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan will travel to the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi on May 20-22 Armenia Security Council chief traveling to Qatar Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan will travel on a working visit to Qatar. |