Turkish MP: It will be disastrous for Armenia if Russia refuses to help

According to Armenian media, Russian president's recent visit to Ankara was not welcomed warmly in Armenia. Armenia claims that the Russian-Turkish rapprochement pushed the process of normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations to the background. Do you agree with these arguments?

Medvedev's visit is very important in terms of opening a new page in Turkish-Russian relations and laying foundation for closer cooperation in the years to come. The two countries signed agreements to cooperate in energy sphere, including in nuclear energy and to lift visa requirements. Turkish-Russian rapprochement will pave a way for peace and cooperation in the region. We believe that this cooperation will benefit Azerbaijan, too. The Turkish authorities are confident that relations with Russia can do no harm to Azerbaijan’s interests.

In fact, Russian has a serious influence in Caucasus. Russia never intended to leave the Caucasus. Today it tries to preserve its influence in the region. Attempts by regional countries to avoid cooperation with Russia promise nothing good for them. Russia is a strong state, it has a strong army. One needs to build cooperation with this country, but not to irritate it.

Building relationships with any of the post-Soviet countries, Turkey tries to learn how it will impact Azerbaijan. If this cooperation contradicts Azerbaijan’s interest, Turkey gives up doing so. Turkey and Azerbaijan consistently coordinate their foreign policies. I think that Medvedev’s remarks about the Karabakh issue voiced in Turkey are friendly, and they will play a role in resolving the conflict. Yerevan has a cause for concern because Armenia stands on its feet thanks to Russia. If at some point Russia refuses to help Armenia, it will be disastrous for the country.

In fact, Armenia suspended realization of the Zurich protocols on Turkish-Armenian normalization by the Constitutional Court decision. I think that Turkey and Azerbaijan should continue the path started together and solve regional problems in their favour in agreement with Russia.

What are your predictions about the future of Turkish-Armenian protocols?

From the beginning we said that if the negotiations and attempts to cooperate with Armenia are a cause of concern for Azerbaijan, Turkey will immediately abandon it. In addition, Turkish president and prime minister have reiterated that the Turkish-Armenian cooperation is impossible until Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict is settled.

The Zurich protocols have left the agenda long time ago. Responsibility for this lies with Armenia, because the country demonstrated its insincerity by the decision issued by the Constitutional Court. Armenia signed them for the sake of "a show" for the international community. On the other hand, Armenia first refused to accept these protocols as they are and later refused to ratify them and the protocol process became frozen as a result. Turkey cannot simply implement these protocols unilaterally. As for predictions, I do not believe that the process will revive in the near future. Turkey has neither patience nor time to listen to whims of Armenians.

Proposals have been made lately for Turkey to become one of co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group. Is it real?

If the activities of the OSCE Minsk Group have been fruitless, the co-chairs are also responsible for this. The power of the Unite States in the world, Russia's influence in the region, specific weight of France in international politics suggest that once these countries want, they can easily solve this problem.

As to Turkey’s co-chairmanship, it can make much greater contribution to the process, because as an influential regional power, Turkey is important both for Azerbaijan and Armenia. It can achieve results. Turkey’s co-chairmanship can at least help remove injustice towards this problem. The purpose of the Minsk Group should be no division of territory, but a search for truth about the conflict and to restore justice.

As a lawyer, I believe that the only way to resolve such conflicts derives from international law. The international convention which reflects the principle of inviolability of territorial integrity of states, known UN resolutions, as well as evidence that history can not be reversed are key to resolving the Karabakh problem. Minsk Group should solve the problem by using these keys.

Parliaments of two of the three co-chairs countries have once debated recognition of the s-called "Armenian genocide" and have adopted relevant resolutions. The 3rd co-chair country is on the same path. This only supports the statement that the Minsk Group is not able to be impartial in matters relating to Armenia. Can Azerbaijan, guided by these facts, refuse the mission of the Minsk Group?

Of course, the above facts call into question objectivity of the Minsk Group mission. They cannot simultaneously dance to the tune of Armenia and take an impartial stance in the Karabakh issue. The Minsk Group was guided by double standards in dealing with conflict from the outset. To address this imbalance, Azerbaijan should insist on Turkey's co-chairmanship and at the same time to look for countries in the OSCE that will support this idea. The Minsk group has existed for nearly 20 years. This is a long term for solution of local conflicts. You can cope with global disasters for 20 years. It is clear that the Minsk Group cannot continue to operate in this way. It must either increase its peacekeeping efforts or dissolve.

Some Turkish media outlets claim that Azerbaijan does not actively support Turkey in the campaign against the recognition of "Armenian genocide". Is it true?

I think this is a wrong view. Turkey and Azerbaijan are fraternal countries, and we need to solve any problem together and help each other. Many can envy our current relationship. We felt Azerbaijan’s support at a time when the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs adopted the "Armenian genocide" resolution and when this issue was discussed in the Knesset of Israel. More than 20 countries have already recognized the "genocide". The Armenian lobby in the U.S. is working to achieve this, too.

However, recognition of "genocide" cannot change reality. If a proponent of the "genocide" resolution in the U.S. is shown the map, he/she will not find Turkey on it or he/she will not be able to explain what “Armenian genocide” is. While speaking of “genocide", they must be guided by official documents and evidence. There is no evidence to prove "genocide" because it did not happen, in fact.


/Day.Az/