Baku considers opening Armenian border

ANKARA, Turkey, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- Azerbaijan might open its border with Armenia in exchange for the handover of five disputed regions near the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, officials say.

Elkhan Polukhov, a spokesman for the Azeri Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told Turkish daily Today's Zaman that opening the border was a matter for consideration.

"It has been said in earlier statements from Azerbaijani officials that Azerbaijan is ready to open borders and restore dialogue with Armenia if the first stage of a plan to resolve the conflict is implemented," he said.

The spokesman said those early provisions on restoring bilateral relations with Armenia included the return of five regions near the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh territory and the return of internally displaced persons.

Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993 in support of Azerbaijan, which was engaged in a military conflict over the disputed territory.

Yerevan claims ethnic Armenians are deprived of their basic rights in the territory, while Baku argues those solutions lie in annexing Nagorno-Karabakh.

Ankara said it would open its borders with Armenia in time for a World Cup qualifying match in October.

Polukhov said it was too early to make any formal announcements on border plans.