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BAKU: Armenia to pay for its occupation policy

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  • BAKU: Armenia to pay for its occupation policy

    news.az, Azerbaijan
    Aug 6 2011


    'Armenia to pay for its occupation policy'
    Sat 06 August 2011 07:30 GMT | 3:30 Local Time


    News.Az interviews Kamer Kasim, professor and Deputy Director of
    Turkey-based International Organization for Strategic Studies.
    Azerbaijan and Turkey are expected to sign intergovernmental agreement
    on transit of natural gas this September. What significance this
    agreement will carry for the region?

    The intergovernmental agreement between Azerbaijan and Turkey,
    designed for the transit of Azerbaijani gas to Europe, will link the
    two countries fully in terms of energy. The rational solution for
    Azerbaijan, which has rich energy reserves, but that does not have
    access to world markets via the sea, is the territories of friendly
    states that are the most reliable route for export of its natural
    resources. Relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey, marked by the
    formula of "One nation - two states", will become more interconnected
    and strong after gas transit agreement is signed between them.

    Turkey and Azerbaijan built such interrelated and strong relations
    even while implementing Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline project.
    These energy pipelines will even more strengthen strategic ties
    between the two countries. At the same time, Azerbaijan's energy
    exports to Europe through Turkey will foster relations between
    Azerbaijan and Europe even more. This may change the attitude and
    position of some European states to occupation of Azerbaijani lands.

    What role of Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway to be launched in 2012 will
    play in development of the region?

    Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway will play a significant role in increasing
    volume of trade between countries in the region. At the same time,
    this railroad will connect Azerbaijan and Georgia to Europe. Without a
    doubt, this project will pave the way for economic integration between
    Turkey and Azerbaijan.

    Armenia remains on the sidelines of the regional projects. What damage
    will this country suffer due to its occupation policy?

    Armenia, who remains on the sidelines of these regional projects, will
    pay for its occupation policies. The Armenian lobby in the United
    States did much to hamper construction of Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railroad.

    Construction of this railway will revive Silk Way that will link the
    region with the Central Asia. Armenia remains outside energy and
    transportation routes laid in the region increasingly leading to the
    isolation of this country. Thus, all these factors force Armenia to
    surrender its sovereignty to Russia at an alarming level. The more
    Azerbaijan, Turkey and Georgia are developed and integrated into the
    region, the more Armenia remains outside of these processes.

    What benefits Armenia may get if it renounces its traditional policies?

    Once Armenia chooses policy distinctive from its approach to Nagorno
    Karabakh issue, it will open her way to the process of rapprochement
    with the West. There can be no talk of peace and stability in the
    Caucasus, as long as the lands of Azerbaijan are still occupied. A
    situation of "frozen conflict" can change at any time and lead to a
    resumption of hostilities. Countries wishing to obtain economic
    benefit from integration of the Caucasus to Europe need to make
    efforts to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh problem.

    Lala B.
    News.Az

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