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BAKU: Turkish President's visit to Armenia not one to be forgotten

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  • BAKU: Turkish President's visit to Armenia not one to be forgotten

    Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
    Sept 6 2008

    Department head of President's Office: `Turkish President's visit to
    Armenia is not the one to be forgotten tomorrow'

    [ 06 Sep 2008 15:00 ]


    Novruz Mammadov: `We will see everything in a month or two. Maybe,
    those criticizing this visit will repent for its
    consequences. Theoretically, it is also possible'

    Baku. Elnur Mammadli ` APA. `Turkey is our friend, brother and
    partner. Our interests coincide almost in all issues,' Head of
    International Relations Department of the President's Office Novruz
    Mammadov said in his interview to APA, while commenting on Turkish
    President Abdullah Gul's visit to Armenia. He said Azerbaijan and
    Turkey were strategic allies. Saying that this alliance has deep
    roots, the department head considers this cooperation will last long.

    `Turkish state, its leaders have the right to make independent
    decisions in all issues. We cannot take a stance on it. Azerbaijani
    and Turkish media publish various views. But I think it is not right
    to express resolute, radical and concrete position. This is a delicate
    step. We should wait. Turkish President's visit to Armenia is not the
    one to be forgotten tomorrow. Nobody knows now what the position of
    Turkey and Armenia was, what they talked about, whether steps were
    taken forward or backward. All we can do now is to wait for the
    results. This is a tactical step. I think Azerbaijan and Turkey have
    common strategic target, it continues and will continue. No doubt,
    during this visit Turkish President will also have concrete position
    in the issue on Azerbaijan. I cannot say how the results will be', he
    said.

    Asked about the influence of Abdullah Gul's visit on Azerbaijan-Turkey
    relations, Novruz Mammadov said it was right to link the relations
    between the countries to this visit. He said the relations between
    Azerbaijan and Turkey had been determined by the heads of the states
    and that course was unchangeable.

    `Perhaps, some give themselves up to the feelings and express their
    opinion on the issue. Generally, state leader's visit to a country is
    considered as an end of a period in diplomatic ties, and the beginning
    of new relations. Such questions arise since it is an extraordinary
    step by the Turkish leader. This is the case I am mostly concerned
    over. Armenian authorities are in a difficult situation now and when
    they are in such situation they do not usually follow any ethics. They
    can take any step in this condition. However, it does not mean they
    will stick on this principle forever. Today, Iran is the main
    guarantor of Armenia. They should be expected any maneuver, hypocrisy
    because they are in a very difficult situation indeed', he said.

    As for the talks that Gul's visit favors Iran more than Turkey,
    Mammadov stated that it might be so.

    `But Armenia is not given what it needs. This visit does not mean
    Turkey will open the borders with Armenia. The parties will probably
    discuss problems between them during the visit. It is possible to
    express opinion on the visit when the discussions are announced in
    details. Our position on the issue is that Turkey has made the
    decision and we approve it', he said.

    Mammadov noted that he could not say whether Gul's visit was initially
    agreed with Azerbaijan.

    `There is no need for such an agreement. Turkey is an independent
    country, so it can take any step although we are in friendly
    relations. Azerbaijani and Turkish communities are deeply concerned in
    formal side of the issue and try to come to a logical
    conclusion. There is no need to make such hasty decisions in
    policy. We will see everything in a month or two. Maybe, those
    criticizing this visit will repent for its
    consequences. Theoretically, it is also possible', he added.
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