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Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Nov 29 2012
`Russian-Turkish relations won't be damaged'
29 November 2012 - 9:06am By Vestnik Kavkaza
Vitaly Naumkin, PhD (History), Professor, the RAS member, the head of
the Oriental Studies Institute of the RAS, gave an interview to
Vestnik Kavkaza on the problem of Nagorno-Karabakh, the Iranian
nuclear program, and Russian-Turkish relations.
- How would you characterize the current Iranian problem?
- The situation over Iran is very tense. These days there are many
new attacks on Iran, many new accusations. The last is connected with
the developments in Gaza, when the West and Israel accused Iran of
supplying missile armament to Hamas and Islamic Jihad, the
organizations which act in Gaza. Therefore, a new paradigm
appeared,especially among Israeli Hawks, that a strike should be
launched at Iran for calming the situation in Palestine. It is obvious
that the atmosphere becomes tense, on the one hand. On the other hand,
America urges to a dialogue between Americans and Iranians. I believe
these two positions create a balance and mean that the United States
do not want this military operation and try to build a bridge, which
is beneficial for the Iranian authorities. On the other hand, it is
clear that the Iranian authorities won't reject the nuclear program
which they present as a peaceful one. They do not recognize any
accusations against Iran of establishing nuclear armament. They will
most probably continue the program. That is why the international
course toward the Iranian nuclear program which is provided today has
to be corrected. The complexity of the situation is that tension is
obvious, but at the same time there is a hope for settlement of the
crisis by diplomatic means. At least we know there are many people in
Israel who want to launch a strike, but they will hardly do it alone.
- What do you think about prospects of the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement?
- I am not a big optimist on prospects of the Karabakh settlement.
The countries have been conducting talks for a long time, but we see
no result. Each side stands on its own. It is very difficult to find a
decision. All initiatives by the Minsk Group face rejection of this or
that side. The process is in hands of presidents of Armenia and
Azerbaijan who meet from time to time. There is information on some
initiatives and possible staged settlement. But I believe it is not
time for this yet.
- What is your view on Russian-Turkish relations in the context of
the Syrian problem and difference in views on it?
- I am sure that serious contradictions on the Syrian problem will
not damage Russian-Turkish relations, as they are based on very
powerful similarity of economic interests, on the fact that Turkey and
Russia are very important economic partners to each other. We have
strong humanitarian ties, as Turkey is a Turk country, and we have
many Turk ethnic groups. Almost 4 million Russian tourists visit
Turkey annually; many Turkish companies are working in Russia; and
until the Syrian crisis we had no serious political contradictions. I
think despite these contradictions, Russian-Turkish relations won't be
hurt. Each side is interested in maintenance of the favorable
situation and its further development. .
Nov 29 2012
`Russian-Turkish relations won't be damaged'
29 November 2012 - 9:06am By Vestnik Kavkaza
Vitaly Naumkin, PhD (History), Professor, the RAS member, the head of
the Oriental Studies Institute of the RAS, gave an interview to
Vestnik Kavkaza on the problem of Nagorno-Karabakh, the Iranian
nuclear program, and Russian-Turkish relations.
- How would you characterize the current Iranian problem?
- The situation over Iran is very tense. These days there are many
new attacks on Iran, many new accusations. The last is connected with
the developments in Gaza, when the West and Israel accused Iran of
supplying missile armament to Hamas and Islamic Jihad, the
organizations which act in Gaza. Therefore, a new paradigm
appeared,especially among Israeli Hawks, that a strike should be
launched at Iran for calming the situation in Palestine. It is obvious
that the atmosphere becomes tense, on the one hand. On the other hand,
America urges to a dialogue between Americans and Iranians. I believe
these two positions create a balance and mean that the United States
do not want this military operation and try to build a bridge, which
is beneficial for the Iranian authorities. On the other hand, it is
clear that the Iranian authorities won't reject the nuclear program
which they present as a peaceful one. They do not recognize any
accusations against Iran of establishing nuclear armament. They will
most probably continue the program. That is why the international
course toward the Iranian nuclear program which is provided today has
to be corrected. The complexity of the situation is that tension is
obvious, but at the same time there is a hope for settlement of the
crisis by diplomatic means. At least we know there are many people in
Israel who want to launch a strike, but they will hardly do it alone.
- What do you think about prospects of the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement?
- I am not a big optimist on prospects of the Karabakh settlement.
The countries have been conducting talks for a long time, but we see
no result. Each side stands on its own. It is very difficult to find a
decision. All initiatives by the Minsk Group face rejection of this or
that side. The process is in hands of presidents of Armenia and
Azerbaijan who meet from time to time. There is information on some
initiatives and possible staged settlement. But I believe it is not
time for this yet.
- What is your view on Russian-Turkish relations in the context of
the Syrian problem and difference in views on it?
- I am sure that serious contradictions on the Syrian problem will
not damage Russian-Turkish relations, as they are based on very
powerful similarity of economic interests, on the fact that Turkey and
Russia are very important economic partners to each other. We have
strong humanitarian ties, as Turkey is a Turk country, and we have
many Turk ethnic groups. Almost 4 million Russian tourists visit
Turkey annually; many Turkish companies are working in Russia; and
until the Syrian crisis we had no serious political contradictions. I
think despite these contradictions, Russian-Turkish relations won't be
hurt. Each side is interested in maintenance of the favorable
situation and its further development. .