As ratification of Turkey-Armenia protocols moves forward, Azerbaijan will play a role as well: U.S. congressman

Turkey supports close relations with Azerbaijan, and within many decades a problem of communications between Turkey and Armenia has been adhered to the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, U.S. Congressman Michael McMahon said.

"It would be naïve to think that the signing of the protocols in October would eliminate this historical context," he said.

"A timeline still has to be set for the protocols to be ratified by Turkish or Armenian governments. But by this I don’t mean, however, that the signing in Switzerland was not a huge step forward for both countries," he added.

"Ultimately, Turkey and Armenia have been working together on this issue, and I believe that the opening of the border would do wonders for Armenia’s economy and political outlook. Turkey, which has asked for nothing in return, is a critical US ally. And if the protocol documents can bring Armenia closer to the West and at the same time closer to a political solution to resolving Nagorno-Karabakh, I would support that."

As the ratification of protocols moves forward, Azerbaijan will play a role as well, he said.

"In Ankara, Philip Gordon mentioned that it is unlikely that progress between Armenia and Turkey will occur without progress in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Both USA and Russia are interested in adjusting the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. Again, cooperation between the United States and Russia will pave the road to peace in this region and greater energy security that reaches far beyond the Caucuses," the congressman said.

/APA/