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ARMENIA HAS INFORMALLY AGREED TO LEAVE AZERBAIJAN'S OCCUPIED LANDS: TURKISH MP
Today
http://www.today.az/news/politics/57316. html
Nov 9 2009
Azerbaijan
Day.Az interview with head of the Turkish delegation to OSCE
Parliamentary Assembly and member of the Turkish parliament from
ruling Justice and Development Party Aladdin Buyukkaya.
Day.Az: The discussions on Turkey's possible mediation in the
OSCE Minsk Group resumed soon after signing of the Turkey-Armenia
protocols. How real are Turkey's chances in this respect?
Aladdin Buyukkaya: I represent Turkey in the leadership of the
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and keep a close eye on the Minsk Group
activities. I am aware of stance of the OSCE leadership and Minsk
Group member countries regarding Turkey's co-chairmanship.
They believe that Turkey faces no obstacles in this regard. The
positive solution of this issue requires consent of the parties to
the conflict. Azerbaijan has agrees to Turkey's co-chairmanship while
Armenia refuses. Until recently, Armenia stubbornly resisted this, but
Armenia's position has softened recently. If OSCE begins discussions
on this issue, Armenia would not oppose Turkey's co-chairmanship in
the Minsk Group.
Q: Can this softening be linked with confidence that Turkey will open
borders with Armenia?
A: Turkey has stated that it will fulfill conditions of the protocols
only after the occupied Azerbaijani territories are liberated. Armenia
understands very well that Turkey's stance is very firm. In the most
recent processes Armenia saw that despite the pressure from the United
States and Europe, Turkey is going to make no concession in the issue
of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity.
On the other hand, the socio-economic condition is deplorable
in Armenia. If nothing changes, Armenia will lose a lot. Based
on background information and a general mood that prevails in the
OSCE and other international organizations, I can say that there are
certain achievements in resolution of the Karabakh problem. Armenia has
informally agreed to withdraw from occupied Azerbaijani territories. It
remains only to officially admit it.
Q: Then what prevents Armenia to officially admit it?
A: It depends not only on Armenia since Russia is the key player. If
Russia wants, the problem will be solved within days. I had frequently
been to Azerbaijan during active hostilities in Karabakh. Moscow
clings onto the conflict to maintain presence in the Caucasus.
According to my observations, Azerbaijan has started to find common
language with Russia in recent years. Azerbaijan needs to maintain
friendly dialogue and understanding with Russia. If Azerbaijan agrees
with Moscow, Russia itself will solve this problem. I am confident
that Armenia will not be able to stand their pressure.
Q: How do you assess the stance of the United States and France,
other Minsk Group co-chairs? Why their activities yield no result?
A: The United States and France perfectly understand Russia's role
in this conflict. Therefore, these countries want to take Armenia
away from Russia's influence. For this reason, they call on Turkey to
end its embargo against Armenia. Western countries believe that the
resolution of the problem will become a matter of time once Armenia
gets out of economic dependence on Russia.
Q: It is also believed that Armenia will refuse to make compromise
on the Karabakh issue after Turkey lifts embargo...
A: It is for this reason that Turkey does not lift embargo. Turkey
understands that opening of borders and establishment of economic
relations would revive Armenian economy. After that Armenia, which
will resolve its economic problems and access the European market via
Turkey, will not leave a single inch of the Azerbaijani territories.
However, the U.S. and Europe are seriously concerned about the
Caucasus following the August events in Georgia. They fear that
Russia can militarily take control of the entire Caucasus. The only
road connecting Russia with Armenia ran through Georgia. The road
was closed after the August events and Armenia got into full blockade.
Today the U.S. is trying to break through the blockade of Armenia
with help of Turkey and thus win the trust of Yerevan.
Q: What do you think Turkey may undertake to facilitate resolution
of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?
A: Turkey will fight for restoration of Azerbaijan's territorial
integrity to the end. Azerbaijan should also take real steps. It is
impossible to achieve a just solution to the conflict waiting for
help from Turkey and from other third parties. This problem will
not be solved only by will of co-chairs. We call on our Azerbaijani
brothers to fight. These lands were taken away by blood.
We are not saying that the military way is the only solution to the
conflict. Azerbaijan's increased military power will have a positive
effect on the process. Azerbaijan must be strong in all spheres,
as well as to demonstrate its military power to Armenia. I think
the military men also face great challenges. Azerbaijan may follow
example Turkey's Armed Forces. Turkey is not at war with its neighbors,
but neighbors admit and agree with its military might.
Today
http://www.today.az/news/politics/57316. html
Nov 9 2009
Azerbaijan
Day.Az interview with head of the Turkish delegation to OSCE
Parliamentary Assembly and member of the Turkish parliament from
ruling Justice and Development Party Aladdin Buyukkaya.
Day.Az: The discussions on Turkey's possible mediation in the
OSCE Minsk Group resumed soon after signing of the Turkey-Armenia
protocols. How real are Turkey's chances in this respect?
Aladdin Buyukkaya: I represent Turkey in the leadership of the
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and keep a close eye on the Minsk Group
activities. I am aware of stance of the OSCE leadership and Minsk
Group member countries regarding Turkey's co-chairmanship.
They believe that Turkey faces no obstacles in this regard. The
positive solution of this issue requires consent of the parties to
the conflict. Azerbaijan has agrees to Turkey's co-chairmanship while
Armenia refuses. Until recently, Armenia stubbornly resisted this, but
Armenia's position has softened recently. If OSCE begins discussions
on this issue, Armenia would not oppose Turkey's co-chairmanship in
the Minsk Group.
Q: Can this softening be linked with confidence that Turkey will open
borders with Armenia?
A: Turkey has stated that it will fulfill conditions of the protocols
only after the occupied Azerbaijani territories are liberated. Armenia
understands very well that Turkey's stance is very firm. In the most
recent processes Armenia saw that despite the pressure from the United
States and Europe, Turkey is going to make no concession in the issue
of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity.
On the other hand, the socio-economic condition is deplorable
in Armenia. If nothing changes, Armenia will lose a lot. Based
on background information and a general mood that prevails in the
OSCE and other international organizations, I can say that there are
certain achievements in resolution of the Karabakh problem. Armenia has
informally agreed to withdraw from occupied Azerbaijani territories. It
remains only to officially admit it.
Q: Then what prevents Armenia to officially admit it?
A: It depends not only on Armenia since Russia is the key player. If
Russia wants, the problem will be solved within days. I had frequently
been to Azerbaijan during active hostilities in Karabakh. Moscow
clings onto the conflict to maintain presence in the Caucasus.
According to my observations, Azerbaijan has started to find common
language with Russia in recent years. Azerbaijan needs to maintain
friendly dialogue and understanding with Russia. If Azerbaijan agrees
with Moscow, Russia itself will solve this problem. I am confident
that Armenia will not be able to stand their pressure.
Q: How do you assess the stance of the United States and France,
other Minsk Group co-chairs? Why their activities yield no result?
A: The United States and France perfectly understand Russia's role
in this conflict. Therefore, these countries want to take Armenia
away from Russia's influence. For this reason, they call on Turkey to
end its embargo against Armenia. Western countries believe that the
resolution of the problem will become a matter of time once Armenia
gets out of economic dependence on Russia.
Q: It is also believed that Armenia will refuse to make compromise
on the Karabakh issue after Turkey lifts embargo...
A: It is for this reason that Turkey does not lift embargo. Turkey
understands that opening of borders and establishment of economic
relations would revive Armenian economy. After that Armenia, which
will resolve its economic problems and access the European market via
Turkey, will not leave a single inch of the Azerbaijani territories.
However, the U.S. and Europe are seriously concerned about the
Caucasus following the August events in Georgia. They fear that
Russia can militarily take control of the entire Caucasus. The only
road connecting Russia with Armenia ran through Georgia. The road
was closed after the August events and Armenia got into full blockade.
Today the U.S. is trying to break through the blockade of Armenia
with help of Turkey and thus win the trust of Yerevan.
Q: What do you think Turkey may undertake to facilitate resolution
of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?
A: Turkey will fight for restoration of Azerbaijan's territorial
integrity to the end. Azerbaijan should also take real steps. It is
impossible to achieve a just solution to the conflict waiting for
help from Turkey and from other third parties. This problem will
not be solved only by will of co-chairs. We call on our Azerbaijani
brothers to fight. These lands were taken away by blood.
We are not saying that the military way is the only solution to the
conflict. Azerbaijan's increased military power will have a positive
effect on the process. Azerbaijan must be strong in all spheres,
as well as to demonstrate its military power to Armenia. I think
the military men also face great challenges. Azerbaijan may follow
example Turkey's Armed Forces. Turkey is not at war with its neighbors,
but neighbors admit and agree with its military might.