Can political activeness of Turkey in Caucasus and Middle East cause negative reaction from Russia?
Reflecting the level of relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan the slogan “One nation, two states” should not bother anyone. The continuation of occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh by Armenia, with Russian support, is the result of a policy of hostility not only against Azerbaijan, but also other people of the region at the head of Armenia.
As a result, the biggest harm comes to Armenia itself which is in the situation of a puppet. Such policy of Russia poses a threat to the security of Turkey and Azerbaijan. In this regard, Turkey has to play a more active role in the light of historical, cultural and religious realities in the region.
What chances and opportunities does Turkey have to get further involved in processes of the South Caucasus including the settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?
No other country guarantees final decision or control of the problem. Every state, every leader must analyze the extent of the problem, and not to overestimate the strength of the country. Overestimation of real strength may pave the way to tragedies but at the same time, disuse of this power when there is an opportunity may become a beginning of loss.
The main geopolitical activity of Turkey in the Middle East, the Balkans and Turkish world, as well as in Caucasus is a search of such opportunities. The historical lie is Turkey allegedly opened its airspace to occupational and slanderous Armenia. It should not expect any smallest steps from the Turkish side unless it stops spreading such lies. Such expectations that we gave to Armenians opened a way to the fact that problems have remained unsettled for many years. This will continue if we give Armenia such kind of expectation.
Does the fact that Armenian-Turkish protocols were removed from the agenda of Turkish Parliament mean that policy of Turkish government on ‘zero problems with neighbors’ failed?
Slogans that ‘we don’t want presence of any problems in the region’ and ‘we want to solve all problems by peaceful means’ continue to bring points to Turkey. But positioning itself in foreign policy as a country, wishing to settle all problems which were not settled by previous leaders of states, led to formation of an opinion in the world that Turkey pursues unfair and belligerent policy. In addition, in terms of Armenia’s aggressive, occupational and slanderous policy, Turkey in the past didn’t give strong statements which led to the loss of support from the opposition of the country and international community. However, I would like to know that Turkey needs to yield support from friendly and neutral countries.
Underestimating Armenian claims in Turkey is the result of a propaganda conducted in this sphere. Awareness of the delusiveness of “zero problems with neighbors” policy led to the fact that relations with Azerbaijan didn’t become victim of this policy.
How do you assess the importance of decision of the Turkish Parliament to return Armenian-Turkish protocols to the agenda?
The return of protocols to the agenda of the parliament is connected with procedures in the legislative body. They were brought back to the agenda along with 166 documents concerning international relations. However, it remains unknown whether they were brought back with the demand of the US. Along with this, the return of the protocols to the agenda may be a tactical step to neutralize Armenian diaspora which is activated each spring in connection with 1915 event. But anyway, it’s clear that Armenia will not ratify these protocols and Turkey will not take any action in this direction.
21 December 2011
F.H. News.Az