Interview with member of the Great National Assembly of Turkey (Parliament) from the ruling Justice and Development Party, Ozlem Turkone.
Q: Are there any hopes that Armenia will finally come to senses and try to go ahead with the process of normalizing relations with Turkey?
A: Hopefully, a time will come when Armenia will strive to continue the process of normalizing relations with Turkey. The most important thing for us is that Turkey has made a major change in its foreign policy – zero problems with neighbors. Recently, Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan signed many bilateral agreements during a trip to Greece. Our relations with Syria are also developing. Everybody knows about our diplomatic steps towards Iran and its nuclear program. We stand for integrity of Iraq. Also, successful policies are conducted in the Balkans. What is left? Only Armenia. We want to negotiate with Armenia to some extent. But this does not mean that we will do this hurting our fraternal Azerbaijan and our Azerbaijani brothers. Azerbaijan’s struggle is our struggle.
Q: What are your views on the fact that Armenia has unilaterally frozen the process of normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations? Is any progress possible in this regard?
A: OSCE Minsk Group was not active in the settlement of the Karabakh conflict before the process of normalizing relations with Armenia started. But as soon as Turkey signed protocols to normalize relations with Armenia and stressed that the Armenian-Turkish border will open only after a fair settlement to the Karabakh conflict is achieved, the international community stepped up efforts. And nobody can stop it.
With regard to the Armenian-Turkish normalization, the protocols are signed, and our position is clear and explicit. Turkey’s position is that Armenia should de-occupy Azerbaijan’s territories that make up a fifth of the country. Mr. Erdogan has announced this on many occasions. Normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations is impossible without this.
Q: In your opinion, how long will it take to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in a fair way and normalize Armenian-Turkish relations?
A: I cannot say that there will be some breakthrough in this regard in a short time. The processes intensified after Armenian-Turkish protocols were signed. But there was no progress in these issues in 2010. We are going to witness a long process. It also depends on what changes will occur in American politics. In addition, Russia’s approach is also very important. Therefore, it is difficult to cite some specific dates.
Q: Armenia is happy about the elections to the U.S. Congress. Armenian experts believe that the new U.S. Congress will be more pro-Armenian than the former one. Is it true?
A: I do not share this view because Congress will mainly consist of Republicans rather than Democrats this time. Republicans have more positive attitude toward Turkey. We have seen this for years. It is wrong to think that majority in Congress support the so-called “Armenian genocide”. For example, Nancy Pelosi, who strongly supported the bill recognizing the so-called “Armenian genocide”, lost elections in California, home to a large Armenian diaspora. That is, in fact, the Armenian lobby is not as strong as before. It is not strong on the political level. Unfortunately, the Armenian diaspora has concentrated all its efforts against Turkey.
Q: In your opinion, what will Armenia’s future be if it fails to settle the Karabakh conflict and open the border with Turkey?
A: Naturally, it is clear that if Armenia does not solve these problems, it will not end up well for the country. I should also note that the events that took place in the South Caucasus showed that military action could break out in a moment. Stability in the Caucasus can be broken very easily. Therefore, Turkey has always and everywhere said that it is necessary to create a joint platform for strategic cooperation in the South Caucasus. Armenia is a part of it. If Armenia joins this system, peace and stability will dominate in South Caucasus. We are saying we should see benefits and make a profit instead of risks. If Armenia realized it, its economy would not be in such a disorderly state today. Oil and gas pipelines would cross also Armenia’s territory and profit the country. Armenia should abandon obstinacy on some issues. Otherwise, Armenia will not find a place in the 21st century. What is more important is that Armenia has to constantly remind the Armenian diaspora living thousands miles away that its population is in poverty and hunger. The Armenian diaspora living in other geographic location shows that it does not think about Armenia. That’s my opinion.
/Day.Az/