Azerbaijani political expert: Hatred towards Turkey is Armenians' principle of identity

Day.Az: An act which that will enable Armenia to recall signatures from international treaties was submitted to Armenia’s Constitutional Court recently. Shortly before Armenia announced that in case Turkey delays ratification of the Zurich protocols, Armenia may withdraw from them. In your opinion, what is the reason for this statement?

Zardusht Alizade: This move is nothing more than trade. Armenia does not want to link opening borders with Turkey with resolving the Karabakh problem. Perhaps U.S. and Europe do not want this either.

As to Armenia’s possible withdrawal from Zurich protocols, I think that this step will not change anything, because it is legally useless. I think those who believe that normalization of relations with Yerevan will facilitate Turkey’s EU admission are very wrong. Normalization of relations with Armenia is just a few grams of hundred-ton weight of Turkey’s EU accession. So, today Turkey is much more important for Armenia than Armenia for Turkey.

Who will lose most of all from Armenia’s possible withdrawal from the Zurich protocols?

Well, I think, Turkey will not lose that much while for Armenia it will be another lost opportunity to live in peace and harmony with its neighbors. Yerevan has already missed a lot lately. Armenia lost its chance to participate in international projects, to be independent from Russia and a chance of a speedy integration into Europe. In case of withdrawal of signatures, Yerevan will just lose another opportunity - to live in peace with its neighbors.

May attitude of world powers to Armenia-Turkey rapproachement change following Armenia’s withdrawal from the protocols?

I think no international sanctions will be imposed on Turkey and Armenia. During and before the signing of the Zurich protocols, Armenia appeared in the world's headlines. Let’s suppose that after withdrawal from the protocols, Armenia will be in headlines for another couple of days. That's all. Then they will quickly forget about Armenia and will remember Turkey always.

Do you think the Armenian Diaspora puts pressure on the Armenian leadership to withdraw from the protocols?

Many believe that the hatred towards Turkey and Turks is principle of identity of Armenians. The more you hate Turks - the "best Armenian you are.” Therefore, the diaspora have enough fear in Turkey-Armenia rapprochement.

As for my opinion, I think that Armenia needs Turkey, and Yerevan good relations with Ankara are needed even more than with Moscow.

Z. Ahmadov