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AZERBAIJANI INTEREST IN TURKISH PRESS MIGHT UPSET ANKARA
Hurriyet Daily News, Turkey
April 16 2013
In the early days of Azerbaijani independence, the new artist-,
engineer- and activist-turned-diplomats of the young country would use
the offices of Turkey's diplomatic missions. Long delays in the return
of financial credits given to Azerbaijan would constitute a headache
in the two countries' relations.
I had this flashback about Azerbaijan upon the Hurriyet Daily News'
report that Azerbaijan's state oil company, SOCAR, was looking for a
possible partnership with Kanal 24 television and Star newspaper,
owned by Star Media Group, in Turkey.
Long gone are of course those days when Baku would look to Ankara for
financial assistance. As petrodollars started to flow into Azerbaijan,
we have seen a steady increase in Azerbaijan's investments in Turkey.
SOCAR is ambitiously aiming to become the largest direct foreign
investor in Turkey through two flagship projects: The expansion of the
petrochemical holding Petkim and the construction of the
Trans-Anatolia Gas Pipeline (TANAP).
It is only wise for Azerbaijan to wish to diversify its economy, which
is largely based on the oil and gas sector. And where else should it
look but Turkey, whose economic performance has been impressive when
compared with other ailing economies which have been suffering from
the global financial crisis. In addition to the economic "rationale,"
there is also the "emotional" aspect: "one nation, two states" is a
motto used to describe the affinity between the countries.
The Turkish press sector, however, is not known to be the most
lucrative business area. I therefore seriously doubt Ankara will
perceive SOCAR's interest in the Turkish press as "profit-oriented."
In fact, this will be seen as part of Baku's campaign to influence
Turkish public opinion. Azerbaijan's continuous efforts to shape
public opinion in Turkey have not gone unnoticed in official circles
and in fact it is being monitored with some uneasiness. Those familiar
with the issue point to the huge rally that took place last year in
Taksim to commemorate the Khojaly massacre.
Turkey's efforts to mend fences with Yerevan and thus ease the
Armenian diaspora's pressure for the recognition of genocide claims
remain a source of extreme anxiety for Azerbaijan. They have a bitter
memory of the initiative in 2009 when Turkey and Armenia signed
protocols to normalize their relations which were ultimately not sent
to Parliament by the Turkish government, mostly due to Baku's
reaction.
While more Azerbaijani investment is welcome in Turkey, I don't think
Baku's efforts to highjack Turkey's Armenia policy by acquiring
certain channels to influence public opinion will go unchecked. In
view of the fact that the Star Media Group is owned by a businessman
known to be close to the prime minister, I would be surprised if the
purchase actually takes place at the end of the day.
Ironically, the news about SOCAR's interest in the Turkish press
sector made me recall the Russians' presence in the same sector.
Russians have set up a radio channel in Turkey and RSFM has been
broadcasting for nearly two years. There are rumors that they would
like to have a TV channel as well. Russians are said to be extremely
careful about not antagonizing Turkey, even on subjects like the
Syrian turmoil where Ankara and Moscow have differed seriously.
In view of Baku's disproportionate reaction to President Abdullah
Gul's message to his Armenian counterpart, Serzh Sargsyan, over his
successful re-election, it is difficult to expect a similar attitude
from Azerbaijanis in the event they happen to start broadcasting in
Turkey.
April/16/2013
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/azerbaijani-interest-in-turkish-press-might-upset-ankara.aspx?pageID=449&nID=44965&NewsCatID=412
Hurriyet Daily News, Turkey
April 16 2013
In the early days of Azerbaijani independence, the new artist-,
engineer- and activist-turned-diplomats of the young country would use
the offices of Turkey's diplomatic missions. Long delays in the return
of financial credits given to Azerbaijan would constitute a headache
in the two countries' relations.
I had this flashback about Azerbaijan upon the Hurriyet Daily News'
report that Azerbaijan's state oil company, SOCAR, was looking for a
possible partnership with Kanal 24 television and Star newspaper,
owned by Star Media Group, in Turkey.
Long gone are of course those days when Baku would look to Ankara for
financial assistance. As petrodollars started to flow into Azerbaijan,
we have seen a steady increase in Azerbaijan's investments in Turkey.
SOCAR is ambitiously aiming to become the largest direct foreign
investor in Turkey through two flagship projects: The expansion of the
petrochemical holding Petkim and the construction of the
Trans-Anatolia Gas Pipeline (TANAP).
It is only wise for Azerbaijan to wish to diversify its economy, which
is largely based on the oil and gas sector. And where else should it
look but Turkey, whose economic performance has been impressive when
compared with other ailing economies which have been suffering from
the global financial crisis. In addition to the economic "rationale,"
there is also the "emotional" aspect: "one nation, two states" is a
motto used to describe the affinity between the countries.
The Turkish press sector, however, is not known to be the most
lucrative business area. I therefore seriously doubt Ankara will
perceive SOCAR's interest in the Turkish press as "profit-oriented."
In fact, this will be seen as part of Baku's campaign to influence
Turkish public opinion. Azerbaijan's continuous efforts to shape
public opinion in Turkey have not gone unnoticed in official circles
and in fact it is being monitored with some uneasiness. Those familiar
with the issue point to the huge rally that took place last year in
Taksim to commemorate the Khojaly massacre.
Turkey's efforts to mend fences with Yerevan and thus ease the
Armenian diaspora's pressure for the recognition of genocide claims
remain a source of extreme anxiety for Azerbaijan. They have a bitter
memory of the initiative in 2009 when Turkey and Armenia signed
protocols to normalize their relations which were ultimately not sent
to Parliament by the Turkish government, mostly due to Baku's
reaction.
While more Azerbaijani investment is welcome in Turkey, I don't think
Baku's efforts to highjack Turkey's Armenia policy by acquiring
certain channels to influence public opinion will go unchecked. In
view of the fact that the Star Media Group is owned by a businessman
known to be close to the prime minister, I would be surprised if the
purchase actually takes place at the end of the day.
Ironically, the news about SOCAR's interest in the Turkish press
sector made me recall the Russians' presence in the same sector.
Russians have set up a radio channel in Turkey and RSFM has been
broadcasting for nearly two years. There are rumors that they would
like to have a TV channel as well. Russians are said to be extremely
careful about not antagonizing Turkey, even on subjects like the
Syrian turmoil where Ankara and Moscow have differed seriously.
In view of Baku's disproportionate reaction to President Abdullah
Gul's message to his Armenian counterpart, Serzh Sargsyan, over his
successful re-election, it is difficult to expect a similar attitude
from Azerbaijanis in the event they happen to start broadcasting in
Turkey.
April/16/2013
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/azerbaijani-interest-in-turkish-press-might-upset-ankara.aspx?pageID=449&nID=44965&NewsCatID=412