Azerbaijani parliamentarian: Azerbaijan should reconsider level of strategic partnership with U.S.

Day.Az: The Armenian president has initiated to adopt a law that provide for withdrawal of country’s signatures from the previously signed international treaties. Analysts say Armenia may use this law to withdraw from the Armenia-Turkey protocols. What consequences this step may have?

Jamil Hasanli: I think Armenia was not ready for this agreement. Armenia’s withdrawal from the Zurich protocols can lead to loss of international confidence in Armenia. Nevertheless, I believe it will result in no sanctions against Armenia. It can be concluded from the fact that world powers which are both co-chairs of OSCE Minsk Group back Armenia. They are delaying solution to the Karabakh conflict in a hope that Azerbaijan will put up with the current status quo.

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov is going to trip to Ankara soon. What can be expected from this visit? What issues will be discussed during the meetings?

Azerbaijan and Turkey share a unified position on all international issues, including the Karabakh conflict. So, there are no disagreements and backroom conversations between our countries. Turkey strives to solve Azerbaijan’s problems as their own. Therefore, I consider it  is expedient for our countries to coordinate positions and act on international arena with one voice.

Being in Washington, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reiterated that Turkey’s  interests are not different from those of Azerbaijan urging the OSCE Minsk Group to step up its work towards a speedy resolution of the Karabakh conflict under international law.

Azerbaijan has presented a note to the U.S. to protest Washington's financial support to breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh. Do you think the U.S. move is a manifestation of double standards in relation to Azerbaijan? How will Washington respond to the note from Baku?

Such a step by the United States, a co-chair the OSCE Minsk Group, is impermissible. Support for the separatist regime in Azerbaijan’s territory casts doubt on Washington's involvement in the OSCE Minsk Group. On the other hand, U.S. companies are engaged in energy projects in Azerbaijan enjoying enormous profits.

Given these facts, this aid can not be perceived as humanitarian support. It's unequivocal support for separatists in Azerbaijan’s territory.

I think that if such a policy of double standards continues, Baku should reconsider level of strategic partnership with Washington.

Z. Ahmadov