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TURKEY KEY TO NAKHCHIVAN'S DEVELOPMENT
news.az
May 4 2010
Azerbaijan
Nizami Jafarov News.Az interviews Nizami Jafarov, chairman of the
parliamentary culture committee and head of the Azerbaijani-Turkish
inter-parliamentary group.
What was behind the excellent reception given to Vasif Talibov,
chairman of the Supreme Majlis of Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan Autonomous
Republic, in Turkey?
The assistance provided by Turkey to Nakhchivan is a symbol of the
relations between the fraternal states of Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Therefore, I am sure that the future of Nakhchivan was of the utmost
importance at these meetings. Nakhchivan is, of course, an inseparable
part of Azerbaijan, but it is geographically separated from it and,
in this regard, Turkey's special assistance to Nakhchivan is an
important part of Azerbaijani-Turkish relations. This aspect could
be seen in all Vasif Talibov's negotiations in Turkey.
In addition, since Armenia makes claims on Nakhchivan, this autonomous
republic of Azerbaijan demands definite guarantees. Therefore, one
of the important aspects of the visit Nakhchivan's leader to Turkey
was the provision of the support and guarantees that the Turkish side
has shown to the world.
What effect will Turkey's promises to contribute to Nakhchivan's
economy have on life in Nakhchivan?
Nakhchivan is developing today as an inseparable part of Azerbaijan.
The current development of Nakhchivan is incomparable with the
level of development of Eastern Anatolia. That is, Nakhchivan is
implementing major projects. Nevertheless, Nakhchivan always needs
Turkey's help. In other words, Turkey must contribute to the economic
life of Nakhchivan. The border between Turkey and Azerbaijan is 11
kilometres long. The efficient use of these 11 kilometres of border for
development should be a symbol of fraternal relations between Turkey
and Azerbaijan. Therefore, naturally, Turkey should demonstrate the
level of Turkish-Armenian relations to Armenia. At the same time, it
should be noted that Turkey's participation in the economic development
of Nakhchivan, in ensuring its security, will be a message to Armenia
and will entail a degree of political and psychological pressure.
Why does Turkey remain committed to the 1921 Treaty of Kars, which
determines Turkey's borders with the South Caucasus states ?
Turkey, which has traditions of statehood, has commitments to ensure
Nakhchivan's security. Though it is difficult to define today whether
the present-day Turkey is heir to the Ottoman Empire. This shows
Turkey's intention to meet its obligations undertaken during the
Ottoman Empire in the early part of last century; i.e., if today
Armenia and the powers backing it claim Nakhchivan, Turkey must also
speak out against it along with Azerbaijan. In addition, in the
process of normalizing ties with Armenia, Turkey should primarily
take into account the security of Nakhchivan.
How will the situation of the Turkish-Armenian protocols affect the
Karabakh settlement?
Undoubtedly, the established situation is directly bound to Karabakh
since the Turkish-Armenian borders are closed due to the occupation
of Karabakh, not due to Armenian claims of 'genocide' in Eastern
Anatolia or compensation.
Everyone knows that Armenia was created on the historical land of
Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan once made great territorial concessions to
Armenia, presenting to it the lands of the Iravan khanate. Despite
this, we do not make any territorial claims.
Is it possible to say that the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border
is bound to the resolution of the Karabakh conflict?
It has become clear to all parties that the proposals presented for
signing to the Turkish and Armenian sides are, in fact, a tool in
the hands of international forces to put pressure on Turkey. Pressure
was put on Turkey not only to ignore Azerbaijani interests but also to
disavow its own interests. Indeed, if the Turkish leadership decided to
open borders with an insufficient display of will, then it would face
strong public resentment. Nevertheless, considering public opinion,
Azerbaijan's tough position that borders cannot be opened without the
resolution of the Karabakh conflict, Turkey managed to resist this
international pressure. We expect Turkey to display a tough position
on the protocols. But if Turkey had lost in this diplomatic game,
Azerbaijan would have also been in a losing situation.
But Turkey could defend both its own interests and the interests
of Azerbaijan. We do hope that Turkey will continue observing its
interests and the interests of Azerbaijan. It will all contribute to
pressure on Armenia because there is a need to put pressure on it.
Pressure should be put on Armenians by means of the hundreds of
thousands of Armenians who live in Turkey illegally. This category
of Armenians should in turn put pressure on Armenia for the latter
to withdraw its troops from the occupied Azerbaijani lands. This
situation cannot last longer, as the pressure on Turkey and Azerbaijan
by international powers does not seem possible or logical anymore
since peace in the region cannot be achieved through pressure on
Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Nizami Jafarov is chairman of parliament's culture committee, head
of the Azerbaijani-Turkish inter-parliamentary working group, head of
the Ataturk Centre and a corresponding member of the National Academy
of Sciences of Azerbaijan.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
news.az
May 4 2010
Azerbaijan
Nizami Jafarov News.Az interviews Nizami Jafarov, chairman of the
parliamentary culture committee and head of the Azerbaijani-Turkish
inter-parliamentary group.
What was behind the excellent reception given to Vasif Talibov,
chairman of the Supreme Majlis of Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan Autonomous
Republic, in Turkey?
The assistance provided by Turkey to Nakhchivan is a symbol of the
relations between the fraternal states of Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Therefore, I am sure that the future of Nakhchivan was of the utmost
importance at these meetings. Nakhchivan is, of course, an inseparable
part of Azerbaijan, but it is geographically separated from it and,
in this regard, Turkey's special assistance to Nakhchivan is an
important part of Azerbaijani-Turkish relations. This aspect could
be seen in all Vasif Talibov's negotiations in Turkey.
In addition, since Armenia makes claims on Nakhchivan, this autonomous
republic of Azerbaijan demands definite guarantees. Therefore, one
of the important aspects of the visit Nakhchivan's leader to Turkey
was the provision of the support and guarantees that the Turkish side
has shown to the world.
What effect will Turkey's promises to contribute to Nakhchivan's
economy have on life in Nakhchivan?
Nakhchivan is developing today as an inseparable part of Azerbaijan.
The current development of Nakhchivan is incomparable with the
level of development of Eastern Anatolia. That is, Nakhchivan is
implementing major projects. Nevertheless, Nakhchivan always needs
Turkey's help. In other words, Turkey must contribute to the economic
life of Nakhchivan. The border between Turkey and Azerbaijan is 11
kilometres long. The efficient use of these 11 kilometres of border for
development should be a symbol of fraternal relations between Turkey
and Azerbaijan. Therefore, naturally, Turkey should demonstrate the
level of Turkish-Armenian relations to Armenia. At the same time, it
should be noted that Turkey's participation in the economic development
of Nakhchivan, in ensuring its security, will be a message to Armenia
and will entail a degree of political and psychological pressure.
Why does Turkey remain committed to the 1921 Treaty of Kars, which
determines Turkey's borders with the South Caucasus states ?
Turkey, which has traditions of statehood, has commitments to ensure
Nakhchivan's security. Though it is difficult to define today whether
the present-day Turkey is heir to the Ottoman Empire. This shows
Turkey's intention to meet its obligations undertaken during the
Ottoman Empire in the early part of last century; i.e., if today
Armenia and the powers backing it claim Nakhchivan, Turkey must also
speak out against it along with Azerbaijan. In addition, in the
process of normalizing ties with Armenia, Turkey should primarily
take into account the security of Nakhchivan.
How will the situation of the Turkish-Armenian protocols affect the
Karabakh settlement?
Undoubtedly, the established situation is directly bound to Karabakh
since the Turkish-Armenian borders are closed due to the occupation
of Karabakh, not due to Armenian claims of 'genocide' in Eastern
Anatolia or compensation.
Everyone knows that Armenia was created on the historical land of
Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan once made great territorial concessions to
Armenia, presenting to it the lands of the Iravan khanate. Despite
this, we do not make any territorial claims.
Is it possible to say that the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border
is bound to the resolution of the Karabakh conflict?
It has become clear to all parties that the proposals presented for
signing to the Turkish and Armenian sides are, in fact, a tool in
the hands of international forces to put pressure on Turkey. Pressure
was put on Turkey not only to ignore Azerbaijani interests but also to
disavow its own interests. Indeed, if the Turkish leadership decided to
open borders with an insufficient display of will, then it would face
strong public resentment. Nevertheless, considering public opinion,
Azerbaijan's tough position that borders cannot be opened without the
resolution of the Karabakh conflict, Turkey managed to resist this
international pressure. We expect Turkey to display a tough position
on the protocols. But if Turkey had lost in this diplomatic game,
Azerbaijan would have also been in a losing situation.
But Turkey could defend both its own interests and the interests
of Azerbaijan. We do hope that Turkey will continue observing its
interests and the interests of Azerbaijan. It will all contribute to
pressure on Armenia because there is a need to put pressure on it.
Pressure should be put on Armenians by means of the hundreds of
thousands of Armenians who live in Turkey illegally. This category
of Armenians should in turn put pressure on Armenia for the latter
to withdraw its troops from the occupied Azerbaijani lands. This
situation cannot last longer, as the pressure on Turkey and Azerbaijan
by international powers does not seem possible or logical anymore
since peace in the region cannot be achieved through pressure on
Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Nizami Jafarov is chairman of parliament's culture committee, head
of the Azerbaijani-Turkish inter-parliamentary working group, head of
the Ataturk Centre and a corresponding member of the National Academy
of Sciences of Azerbaijan.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress