Azerbaijani political commentator: This is a real ideological provocation by Armenia

In your opinion, what is the goal of Turkish FM's trip to Azerbaijan that is taking place almost right after the recent Washington meetings?

It shows that Davutoglu will trip to Azerbaijan on a delicate mission. The visit aims to persuade Azerbaijan not to distance itself from contacts with Turkey and the United States. Turkey has remained true to its original idea, and it still goes ahead with reconciliation with Armenia not without pressure from Washington, of course.

It should be noted that from the very beginning process had a separate character and the first steps towards the Armenian-Turkish reconciliation were made in secret from Azerbaijan. In its turn, Azerbaijan took the necessary steps to stop the process.

Therefore, Turkey’s ruling party is trying to persuade the Turkish society that opening the border with Armenia will be the first step toward stabilization in the region and towards resolving the Karabakh problem.

America, who first initiated the project of reconciliation Turkey, puts pressure not on those who ignore international law and continues to occupy foreign lands, but on those who are victims of international lawlessness.

In your opinion, what will top agenda of Armenian President Sargsyan’s Russia visit to take place on April 20?

No doubt, regional issues will be discussed at this meeting. But I think that for the most part this meeting will be devoted to the Karabakh issue in the context of American initiatives since the situation is still controlled by Washington. Sargsyan received necessary dose of moral support when in Washington. Otherwise, he would not “castigate” Turkey because of the notorious "genocide".

However, Russia will never allow the United States to play a major role in this process.

Yerevan believes Armenian President's U.S. trip was a success in terms of Sargsyans’ negotiations with Erdogan and his meetings and speeches in front of the Armenian Diaspora. How do you evaluate the visit and relations between Armenia and the Diaspora?

Armenia believes this visit was a success because the Azerbaijani delegation was absent at the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington. Armenians interpret the absense of Baku officials at the forum in their own way, although things are quite different.

As for Sargsyan’s meetings with the diaspora and U.S. officials, they are described in different ways. Armenia is a country which occupies a compromising position with all the grandees in all matters, except for so-called "genocide" and the seizure of Azerbaijani lands. The country has no real leverage to influence solution to any significant problem.

The Armenian diaspora and Yerevan have always held the same position.

The Armenian media reports that Turkey and the U.S. allegedly push Azerbaijan to  war...

This is a real ideological provocation by Armenia. Turkey does not want Azerbaijan to become involved in military action. In the Karabakh problem, Turkey's ruling party holds a position radically different from that held by previous cabinets. Ankara has visibly distanced itself from Baku, and therefore tries to save face before its voters and not lose Azerbaijan.

By the way, abrupt change of course can be very painful for Turkey in the future. Turkey has been a permanent ally of Azerbaijan since 1993. The two countries have continuously weighted the steps in the energy and transport projects, coordinated actions also in the ideological direction, especially in eliminating a myth about "genocide".

Priorities for Turkish leadership have changed as of late. Not only Azerbaijan, but also Turkish society are unhappy with this. But friends' opinion is important for Azerbaijan. There are plenty of them even in the ruling Justice and Development Party.

As to the U.S., it has always been against military solution to the Karabakh conflict. Both at the official level and in private negotiations, all emissaries and special envoys of America warned Azerbaijan against the force option. Probably, not the last causes is the firm belief of Americans that the use of military force is the sole prerogative of the United States. But this is not a guarantee that all will agree with this.


/Day.Az/