Azerbaijani parliamentarian: Turkey should persuade Russia of a need to put pressure on Armenia

"Turkey, using his credibility and growing economic cooperation with Russia, should convince Moscow of a need to exert pressure on Armenia in the Karabakh issue. If Russia is interested in assistance to Armenia, which happened in a heavy socio-economic situation, it should encourage it to release the occupied Azerbaijani territory,” the MP said.

"Turkey has repeatedly stated that ratification of the Armenian-Turkish protocol depends on liberation of Armenian-occupied regions of Azerbaijan. Opening of Armenian-Turkish border is beneficial for Russia, too. But there is still no progress in return of Armenian-occupied Azerbaijani lands. Once there is progress, it will open great opportunities for socio-economic cooperation in the region.”

“Turkey has raised the issue of opening borders with Armenia both in talks in Washington and in a dialogue with Moscow to ensure that the Karabakh conflict permanently remains on the agenda.”

“Russia’s interest in opening of borders Turkey’s with its ally Armenia is attributed to two factors. Firstly, it will get overland route to Armenia (Russia’s access to Armenia via Georgia is blocked). Secondly, trade with Turkey will improve dismal socio-economic situation in Armenia,” the MP said.

"The main subject of the Turkey-Russia dialogue is bilateral economic issues,” Oruj said commenting on to what extent relationships between Ankara and Moscow depend on the energy component.

"The issues of cooperation in the field of energy are central to Turkey's relations with Russia. Russia supplies resources to Europe via Turkey (Blue Stream). Turkey, in turn, uses these resources for its own consumption and for re-export to other countries,” Mollazade said.

Z. Ahmadov