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MOVLUD CHAVUSHOGHLU: "I AM SURE THAT TURKEY'S INITIATIVE FOR NORMALIZATION OF RELATIONS BETWEEN THE SOUTH CAUCASUS COUNTRIES WILL BE EFFECTIVE"
Today.Az
22 October 2008 [11:37]
Azerbaijan
Day.Az interview with Movlud Chavushoghlu, head of the Turkish
delegation in PACE.
- The Turkish delegation in PACE has fully supported the PACE
resolution about concerns of Russia's application of force in Georgian
territory. Does it mean that Turkey supports Georgia in the settlement
of this problem?
- Turkey holds an extremely balanced policy on the Georgian-Russian
problem. We wish the soonest resolution of all problems in the
region and our initiative on creation of the Caucasus Cooperation and
Security Platform in the region aims at this. We treat the events,
ongoing here, objectively, regardless of whether we discuss them
with Russia or Georgia. The only important thing here is to settle
existing problems and attain stability in the region. This is the
purpose of Turkey's activity.
While voting in PACE, we supported neither Georgia nor Russia. We
are conducting a balanced policy and support those who are right. We
did not support what we consider to be wrong, we did not vote for
all proposals, put forward either by Georgian or Russian sides, and
at the same time we voted for the final variant of the resolution,
after due changes were introduced into it.
- President Abdullah Gul's visit to Armenia was perceived ambiguously
in Azerbaijan. Do you think this visit will promote the resolution
of the Karabakh conflict and normalization of Armenian-Azerbaijani
relations?
- I do not share the opinion of those, who perceive this visit
negatively. Perhaps, several politicians have this opinion. When I
came to Azerbaijan a month before elections, I got acquainted with the
opinion of all presidential candidates on this issue. They all called
this visit important. All of them said the following: "There has not
been any progress within so many years and now we believe in Turkey,
we trust it and support its initiatives".
Certainly, we are taking steps for the resolution of this problem,
establishment of stability and cooperation in the region.
During Abdullah Gul's visit to Yerevan, the issues of recognition of
the so-called "genocide" or opening of borders were not discussed. The
sides considered ways of resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
and liberation of the occupied lands of Azerbaijan. No other issues
beyond these topics were considered.
We, as a fraternal country for Azerbaijan, are concerned with your
problems. We consider your problems to be ours and try to assist
to their resolution. You will see that Turkey's initiatives in this
direction will be effective.
- Are you sure about the success of Erdogan's initiative?
- Certainly, we hope for it. The CE document reflected the decision
that this initiative is positive and needs support. Yet its successful
implementation requires support of all countries of the region.
- Which countries support the idea of the Stability and Cooperation
Platform today?
- This initiative was supported by Azerbaijan and Armenia. Now it is
Georgia and Russia's turn. As is known, the current relations between
these countries are strained. Yet, I hope that after the phased
resolution of differences, reduction of tensions, this initiative
will be supported by these countries as well and then this project
will be implemented and bring positive results.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Today.Az
22 October 2008 [11:37]
Azerbaijan
Day.Az interview with Movlud Chavushoghlu, head of the Turkish
delegation in PACE.
- The Turkish delegation in PACE has fully supported the PACE
resolution about concerns of Russia's application of force in Georgian
territory. Does it mean that Turkey supports Georgia in the settlement
of this problem?
- Turkey holds an extremely balanced policy on the Georgian-Russian
problem. We wish the soonest resolution of all problems in the
region and our initiative on creation of the Caucasus Cooperation and
Security Platform in the region aims at this. We treat the events,
ongoing here, objectively, regardless of whether we discuss them
with Russia or Georgia. The only important thing here is to settle
existing problems and attain stability in the region. This is the
purpose of Turkey's activity.
While voting in PACE, we supported neither Georgia nor Russia. We
are conducting a balanced policy and support those who are right. We
did not support what we consider to be wrong, we did not vote for
all proposals, put forward either by Georgian or Russian sides, and
at the same time we voted for the final variant of the resolution,
after due changes were introduced into it.
- President Abdullah Gul's visit to Armenia was perceived ambiguously
in Azerbaijan. Do you think this visit will promote the resolution
of the Karabakh conflict and normalization of Armenian-Azerbaijani
relations?
- I do not share the opinion of those, who perceive this visit
negatively. Perhaps, several politicians have this opinion. When I
came to Azerbaijan a month before elections, I got acquainted with the
opinion of all presidential candidates on this issue. They all called
this visit important. All of them said the following: "There has not
been any progress within so many years and now we believe in Turkey,
we trust it and support its initiatives".
Certainly, we are taking steps for the resolution of this problem,
establishment of stability and cooperation in the region.
During Abdullah Gul's visit to Yerevan, the issues of recognition of
the so-called "genocide" or opening of borders were not discussed. The
sides considered ways of resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
and liberation of the occupied lands of Azerbaijan. No other issues
beyond these topics were considered.
We, as a fraternal country for Azerbaijan, are concerned with your
problems. We consider your problems to be ours and try to assist
to their resolution. You will see that Turkey's initiatives in this
direction will be effective.
- Are you sure about the success of Erdogan's initiative?
- Certainly, we hope for it. The CE document reflected the decision
that this initiative is positive and needs support. Yet its successful
implementation requires support of all countries of the region.
- Which countries support the idea of the Stability and Cooperation
Platform today?
- This initiative was supported by Azerbaijan and Armenia. Now it is
Georgia and Russia's turn. As is known, the current relations between
these countries are strained. Yet, I hope that after the phased
resolution of differences, reduction of tensions, this initiative
will be supported by these countries as well and then this project
will be implemented and bring positive results.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress