"U.S. wants to tie both Armenia and Azerbaijan to itself"

What do you expect from a coming meeting between Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. President Barack Obama? May the U.S. administration change position towards the Karabakh issue after the meeting?   

I think resolving the Karabakh conflict will be discussed in relations with the Armenian-Turkish dialogue in Washington. These two issues are interdependent. Turkish-American dialogue on this issue will contribute to Washington’s better understanding of the issue. Therefore, contacts between the U.S. and Turkey in this respect are very important and useful.

Is the U.S. interested in resolving the Karabakh conflict, in your opinion?

On one hand, the United States has enough influence to persuade Armenia to promote settlement of the Karabakh conflict. On the other hand, Armenia is Russia's ally and the pressure on Armenia could lead to the Russian-American complications. I think the U.S. does not believe that they should put pressure on Armenia to meet Azerbaijan’s aspirations in the Karabakh issue. Washington has its own understanding of the problem and its interests associated with each of the two conflicting parties. I believe that the U.S. wants to resolve the Karabakh conflict so that both sides were satisfied with Washington's participation in the negotiation process. The U.S. wants to tie both Armenia and Azerbaijan to itself with the aim of strengthening in the South Caucasus region. The United States needs it to pursue more flexible policies in the Middle East.
 
How do you assess outcome of the Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers’ meeting in Athens and the follow-up statements?

I think these statements were made in a bid to show optimism on the Karabakh negotiations. Indeed, there is a noticeable disappointed in Azerbaijan at the negotiations. There is an impression of a deadlock. But I see nothing in statements by the Azerbaijan Foreign that would back this optimism.


/Day.Az/