Istanbul. Mayis Alizadeh-APA. Turkish MP from National Movement Party (MHP), Professor Midhad Melen’s exclusive interview with APA Turkish Bureau
– Are you satisfied with the meetings in Washington? What is Washington’s reaction towards so-called “Armenian genocide”?
– The congressmen were more restrained. Armenian Diaspora also takes proper steps. As a matter of fact, Armenian Diaspora tries to keep Armenia under pressure not to establish relations with Turkey. In spite of Obama’s pre-election promises to Armenians, I could say that the Congress does not approach this question as closer as it was before.
– What is the reason of this?
– 70 members of the Congress have signed a bill on recognition of “Armenian genocide”. I don’t believe that these signatures will be enough. The US new government started a new cooperation stage with Turkey in the region. Everything will be solved as a whole. That’s why, Turkey will never retract from Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh problem for normalization of relations with Armenia. As the problems will be solved entirely in the regions, solution of Karabagh conflict cannot be left aside either. Furthermore, the United States is very busy with the economic crisis at present. I don’t believe that so-called “Armenian genocide” issue may assume importance in such crisis days.
– May the opening of borders be realized on the government’s initiative only? Will this issue be on the parliament’s agenda in the end?
– I don’t believe that the government will take any steps secretly from the people and the parliament. In one of the meetings in Washington, our Azerbaijani brother said if Turkey opened its borders with Armenia I would break all the windows of Turkish Embassy in Baku. This objection is his just right. But I want everybody to be sure that such issue is not on the agenda. We are brothers and Turkey will never sacrifice Azerbaijani brothers for its personal interests.