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Today's Zaman, Turkey
Sept 29 2013
Iran's Armenian connection contradicts Islamic solidarity policy
Ferhad Memmedov
29 September 2013 /İREM KARAKAYA, ANKARA
Azerbaijan is critical of Iran's growing ties with the Armenian
government, which forced 600,000 Muslims to leave their homes in
Nagorno-Karabakh and 400,000 Muslims to flee Armenia, as this
contradicts Iran's pro-Islamic solidarity policy, says Ferhad
Memmedov, chief of the Baku-based Center for Strategic Research (SAM).
Speaking to Sunday's Zaman, Memmedov said Azerbaijan has been closely
watching Armenian-Iranian relations and stated that there is a
contradiction between the Iranian government's statements and its
actions on the Armenian issue.
`Iran's Armenia policy has no logical explanation. Iran exerts efforts
for the pro-Islamic solidarity idea that it announces as the main goal
of its foreign policy. However, it doesn't pay attention to the fate
of 600,000 Muslims who were forced to leave their homes in
Nagorno-Karabakh and 400,000 Muslims to flee Armenia. It doesn't show
any official reaction to this invasion or impose any sanctions on the
occupying state. On the contrary, it keeps Armenia alive by supplying
financial aid to the occupying state,' said Memmedov, pointing out
Iran's mixed messages in the Caucasus region.
A bloody conflict erupted between ethnic Azerbaijanis and Armenians in
1991 over Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous, predominantly
Armenian-populated enclave within Azerbaijani borders. Armenian-backed
armed forces seized 20 percent of Azerbaijani territories, killing
30,000 people. Hundreds of thousands fled their homes before a
cease-fire was signed in 1994, although there is no peace treaty as of
yet. In a display of solidarity with Azerbaijan on the
Nagorno-Karabakh issue, Turkey closed its borders with Armenia. This
sanction against Turkey's eastern neighbor affected the Armenian
economy even further after Georgia, one of the countries with which
Armenia shares a border, closed its borders at the time of the
Russia`Georgia War of 2008.
On the question of whether Azerbaijan expects constructive steps in
Iranian-Azerbaijani relations, as Iran's newly elected president
Hassan Rohani appears to be playing a conciliatory role in Iran's
foreign policy, the think tank director draws attention to the power
of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Stating that the
latest presidential elections in Iran show that Khamenei controls the
political situation and affects the electoral results, Memmedov said
that Iranian officials are trying to broadcast Rohani's moderate
stance, but Iran's new foreign policy will prove itself through
concrete actions.
`As the director of a think tank, I believe that presidents change in
Iran but Iran's politics remains the same, and it will continue its
current policies. The religious leadership of Iran and the political
background in the country show that Iran will be active and pursue
assertive policies in the Caucasus in the near future,' he said,
stressing that although Rohani's South Caucasus policy isn't yet
clear, Azerbaijan doesn't expect Iran to turn towards the Caucasus.
Rohani is the successor to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and his inauguration,
which was attended by heads of state as well as senior officials from
more than 50 countries, was held on Aug. 4. The inauguration of
Rohani, known as a moderate figure in Iranian politics, was perceived
as a sign of Iran's new foreign policy as it was the first time that
foreign dignitaries had attended the inauguration of an Iranian
president.
On the unresolved Nagorno-Karabakh issue between Azerbaijan and
Armenia, Memmedov hopes that the negotiation process will gain speed
with the upcoming presidential elections in Azerbaijan. Reiterating
Azerbaijan's aim to find a solution for the area soon, the chief of
SAM said that Azerbaijan demands the withdrawal of Armenian troops
from its territory and explained that in the event of compliance with
this demand, a new era will begin in the South Caucasus.
`If Armenian troops leave Nagorno-Karabakh, all borders will be opened
to Armenia and it will be more independent. On the condition of the
territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is restored, the two sides can
reach a consensus on the status of Nagorno-Karabakh,' said Memmedov.
Stressing that after October, there will be no elections in either
Armenia or Azerbaijan, Memmedov underlined that in that period there
will be no reason for either country to create artificial reasons to
prolong or obstruct negotiations. Memmedov also believes in the
necessity of solving the Nagorno-Karabakh problem for the Armenian
side, as the Armenian economy has been deeply affected by Turkey and
Azerbaijan's policy of isolation against it. `Armenia is aiming to
open its borders with Turkey because of its economic collapse and
political instability, but this will only be possible if its occupying
troops leave Azerbaijani territory,' he said and added, `Azerbaijan
appreciates Turkey's punitive policy on Armenia.'
Construction on the Kars-Tbilisi-Baku railway, which began in 2007, is
expected to be completed by 2014. Saying that the railway project will
bring big business potential to Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan,
Memmedov also pointed out some global powers' attempts to disrupt the
project as it leaves Armenia out of a regional cooperation initiative.
`Although the US wanted to prevent the project under pressure from
Armenian lobbies, now the railway will help NATO troops in their
withdrawal from Afghanistan. NATO's munitions can be transported on
the Kars-Tbilisi-Baku railway ,' said the Azerbaijani SAM director.
Memmadov also commented on the long-awaited visa exemption that
Azerbaijan agreed to sign with Turkey. The mutual deal to eliminate
visa requirements between Azerbaijan and Turkey was almost finalized
in 2009. The Turkish Foreign Ministry even announced that the official
signing ceremony would be held during a December 2009 visit to Ankara
by Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov. Despite these
widespread expectations, the visa exemption agreement was not
finalized during the visit. Turkey agreed to do away with visa
requirements for Azeri nationals, but for four years the Azerbaijani
government has postponed the issue for no apparent reason..
Memmedov said the deal has not been cancelled but merely delayed
because of technical issues. Underscoring his country's good relations
with Turkey, he explained that the visa problems between the states
are minor. Memmedov noted that Turkish citizens can easily obtain a
visa from either an Azerbaijani embassy or at an airport and claimed
that to date no Turkish citizen has had difficulty in obtaining a visa
to enter Azerbaijan.
http://www.todayszaman.com/news-327504-irans-armenian-connection-contradicts-islamic-solidarity-policy.html
Sept 29 2013
Iran's Armenian connection contradicts Islamic solidarity policy
Ferhad Memmedov
29 September 2013 /İREM KARAKAYA, ANKARA
Azerbaijan is critical of Iran's growing ties with the Armenian
government, which forced 600,000 Muslims to leave their homes in
Nagorno-Karabakh and 400,000 Muslims to flee Armenia, as this
contradicts Iran's pro-Islamic solidarity policy, says Ferhad
Memmedov, chief of the Baku-based Center for Strategic Research (SAM).
Speaking to Sunday's Zaman, Memmedov said Azerbaijan has been closely
watching Armenian-Iranian relations and stated that there is a
contradiction between the Iranian government's statements and its
actions on the Armenian issue.
`Iran's Armenia policy has no logical explanation. Iran exerts efforts
for the pro-Islamic solidarity idea that it announces as the main goal
of its foreign policy. However, it doesn't pay attention to the fate
of 600,000 Muslims who were forced to leave their homes in
Nagorno-Karabakh and 400,000 Muslims to flee Armenia. It doesn't show
any official reaction to this invasion or impose any sanctions on the
occupying state. On the contrary, it keeps Armenia alive by supplying
financial aid to the occupying state,' said Memmedov, pointing out
Iran's mixed messages in the Caucasus region.
A bloody conflict erupted between ethnic Azerbaijanis and Armenians in
1991 over Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous, predominantly
Armenian-populated enclave within Azerbaijani borders. Armenian-backed
armed forces seized 20 percent of Azerbaijani territories, killing
30,000 people. Hundreds of thousands fled their homes before a
cease-fire was signed in 1994, although there is no peace treaty as of
yet. In a display of solidarity with Azerbaijan on the
Nagorno-Karabakh issue, Turkey closed its borders with Armenia. This
sanction against Turkey's eastern neighbor affected the Armenian
economy even further after Georgia, one of the countries with which
Armenia shares a border, closed its borders at the time of the
Russia`Georgia War of 2008.
On the question of whether Azerbaijan expects constructive steps in
Iranian-Azerbaijani relations, as Iran's newly elected president
Hassan Rohani appears to be playing a conciliatory role in Iran's
foreign policy, the think tank director draws attention to the power
of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Stating that the
latest presidential elections in Iran show that Khamenei controls the
political situation and affects the electoral results, Memmedov said
that Iranian officials are trying to broadcast Rohani's moderate
stance, but Iran's new foreign policy will prove itself through
concrete actions.
`As the director of a think tank, I believe that presidents change in
Iran but Iran's politics remains the same, and it will continue its
current policies. The religious leadership of Iran and the political
background in the country show that Iran will be active and pursue
assertive policies in the Caucasus in the near future,' he said,
stressing that although Rohani's South Caucasus policy isn't yet
clear, Azerbaijan doesn't expect Iran to turn towards the Caucasus.
Rohani is the successor to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and his inauguration,
which was attended by heads of state as well as senior officials from
more than 50 countries, was held on Aug. 4. The inauguration of
Rohani, known as a moderate figure in Iranian politics, was perceived
as a sign of Iran's new foreign policy as it was the first time that
foreign dignitaries had attended the inauguration of an Iranian
president.
On the unresolved Nagorno-Karabakh issue between Azerbaijan and
Armenia, Memmedov hopes that the negotiation process will gain speed
with the upcoming presidential elections in Azerbaijan. Reiterating
Azerbaijan's aim to find a solution for the area soon, the chief of
SAM said that Azerbaijan demands the withdrawal of Armenian troops
from its territory and explained that in the event of compliance with
this demand, a new era will begin in the South Caucasus.
`If Armenian troops leave Nagorno-Karabakh, all borders will be opened
to Armenia and it will be more independent. On the condition of the
territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is restored, the two sides can
reach a consensus on the status of Nagorno-Karabakh,' said Memmedov.
Stressing that after October, there will be no elections in either
Armenia or Azerbaijan, Memmedov underlined that in that period there
will be no reason for either country to create artificial reasons to
prolong or obstruct negotiations. Memmedov also believes in the
necessity of solving the Nagorno-Karabakh problem for the Armenian
side, as the Armenian economy has been deeply affected by Turkey and
Azerbaijan's policy of isolation against it. `Armenia is aiming to
open its borders with Turkey because of its economic collapse and
political instability, but this will only be possible if its occupying
troops leave Azerbaijani territory,' he said and added, `Azerbaijan
appreciates Turkey's punitive policy on Armenia.'
Construction on the Kars-Tbilisi-Baku railway, which began in 2007, is
expected to be completed by 2014. Saying that the railway project will
bring big business potential to Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan,
Memmedov also pointed out some global powers' attempts to disrupt the
project as it leaves Armenia out of a regional cooperation initiative.
`Although the US wanted to prevent the project under pressure from
Armenian lobbies, now the railway will help NATO troops in their
withdrawal from Afghanistan. NATO's munitions can be transported on
the Kars-Tbilisi-Baku railway ,' said the Azerbaijani SAM director.
Memmadov also commented on the long-awaited visa exemption that
Azerbaijan agreed to sign with Turkey. The mutual deal to eliminate
visa requirements between Azerbaijan and Turkey was almost finalized
in 2009. The Turkish Foreign Ministry even announced that the official
signing ceremony would be held during a December 2009 visit to Ankara
by Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov. Despite these
widespread expectations, the visa exemption agreement was not
finalized during the visit. Turkey agreed to do away with visa
requirements for Azeri nationals, but for four years the Azerbaijani
government has postponed the issue for no apparent reason..
Memmedov said the deal has not been cancelled but merely delayed
because of technical issues. Underscoring his country's good relations
with Turkey, he explained that the visa problems between the states
are minor. Memmedov noted that Turkish citizens can easily obtain a
visa from either an Azerbaijani embassy or at an airport and claimed
that to date no Turkish citizen has had difficulty in obtaining a visa
to enter Azerbaijan.
http://www.todayszaman.com/news-327504-irans-armenian-connection-contradicts-islamic-solidarity-policy.html