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TURKEY 'NOT TO BE' OSCE MEDIATOR ON KARABAKH
news.az
April 22 2010
Azerbaijan
Fikret Sadikhov News.Az interviews political scientist and diplomat
Fikret Sadikhov, professor at the Western University in Baku.
Would you comment on remarks by presidential administration official
Ali Hasanov that mediation by Turkey is on the agenda for the OSCE
Minsk Group?
First of all, Turkey is a member of the Minsk conference that created
the OSCE Minsk Group in the early 90's to mediate a Karabakh conflict
settlement. Yes, Azerbaijan was interested in Turkey's co-chairing
the OSCE Minsk Group, but this requires the agreement of the existing
co-chairs as well as Armenia. This being the case, I think Turkey will
not become an OSCE Minsk Group co-chair. The composition of this group
will remain the same - the United States, Russia and France. But at
the same time, Turkey, without being an OSCE Minsk Group co-chair,
has a great influence on the situation throughout our region and on
the Karabakh conflict settlement.
Do you agree that despite its influence on the Karabakh settlement
process, Turkey, unlike the OSCE Minsk Group, will not be able to
set a formula for its settlement?
You are right, unlike the OSCE Minsk Group, Turkey has no legal powers
to set the principles that may form the basis for the resolution of
the Karabakh conflict. But as a leading regional player, Turkey can
put forward its own vision for the establishment of stability in our
region which is impossible without the resolution of the Karabakh
conflict. And I do not think that the fate of this conflict and the
essence of Turkey's position, which spares no effort to liberate our
occupied land, will change if Ankara makes these proposals during
negotiations with the leaders of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing
countries or as a co-chair of this group.
How sincere are the current OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing states
in their recognition of and support for Azerbaijan's territorial
integrity?
Naturally, all the three Minsk Group co-chairing countries behave as
double-dealers and provide open financial, political and moral support
to the aggressor, that is to Armenia. And for this reason it would
be good to include Turkey in the Minsk Group. But the mechanism of
decision making on the issue is that Armenia's agreement is necessary
for a positive decision.
Would Armenia be able to oppose the decision if the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairs agreed to involve Turkey?
Certainly, if the countries co-chairing the Minsk Group agree to
include Turkey into the organization, Armenia will have no opportunity
to oppose the decision. Unfortunately, I do not see any conditions for
this decision to be adopted by the United States, Russia and France -
the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs. All three countries continue to take a
pro-Armenian position on the resolution of the Karabakh conflict, which
means they won't agree to involve Turkey as a Minsk Group co-chair
because its presence in the organization might hamper their plans.
news.az
April 22 2010
Azerbaijan
Fikret Sadikhov News.Az interviews political scientist and diplomat
Fikret Sadikhov, professor at the Western University in Baku.
Would you comment on remarks by presidential administration official
Ali Hasanov that mediation by Turkey is on the agenda for the OSCE
Minsk Group?
First of all, Turkey is a member of the Minsk conference that created
the OSCE Minsk Group in the early 90's to mediate a Karabakh conflict
settlement. Yes, Azerbaijan was interested in Turkey's co-chairing
the OSCE Minsk Group, but this requires the agreement of the existing
co-chairs as well as Armenia. This being the case, I think Turkey will
not become an OSCE Minsk Group co-chair. The composition of this group
will remain the same - the United States, Russia and France. But at
the same time, Turkey, without being an OSCE Minsk Group co-chair,
has a great influence on the situation throughout our region and on
the Karabakh conflict settlement.
Do you agree that despite its influence on the Karabakh settlement
process, Turkey, unlike the OSCE Minsk Group, will not be able to
set a formula for its settlement?
You are right, unlike the OSCE Minsk Group, Turkey has no legal powers
to set the principles that may form the basis for the resolution of
the Karabakh conflict. But as a leading regional player, Turkey can
put forward its own vision for the establishment of stability in our
region which is impossible without the resolution of the Karabakh
conflict. And I do not think that the fate of this conflict and the
essence of Turkey's position, which spares no effort to liberate our
occupied land, will change if Ankara makes these proposals during
negotiations with the leaders of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing
countries or as a co-chair of this group.
How sincere are the current OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing states
in their recognition of and support for Azerbaijan's territorial
integrity?
Naturally, all the three Minsk Group co-chairing countries behave as
double-dealers and provide open financial, political and moral support
to the aggressor, that is to Armenia. And for this reason it would
be good to include Turkey in the Minsk Group. But the mechanism of
decision making on the issue is that Armenia's agreement is necessary
for a positive decision.
Would Armenia be able to oppose the decision if the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairs agreed to involve Turkey?
Certainly, if the countries co-chairing the Minsk Group agree to
include Turkey into the organization, Armenia will have no opportunity
to oppose the decision. Unfortunately, I do not see any conditions for
this decision to be adopted by the United States, Russia and France -
the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs. All three countries continue to take a
pro-Armenian position on the resolution of the Karabakh conflict, which
means they won't agree to involve Turkey as a Minsk Group co-chair
because its presence in the organization might hamper their plans.