TODAY.AZ / Politics

Member of Swedish parliament: Europe does not care what happened in Karabakh

19 July 2011 [12:30] - TODAY.AZ
Interview with Turkish member of the parliament of Sweden, chairman of the parliament’s Green Group Mehmet Kaplan.
As you know, parliaments of Azerbaijan and Sweden established friendship group. But despite this, Azerbaijan is not known in Sweden sufficiently. How do you think the parliament group must act so that Azerbaijan is known better and has positive image in Sweden?

Azerbaijan is seen as a country, which is far from Sweden and has no serious economic relations with Sweden. Azerbaijan is viewed as a country related to Turkey, there is very little information about the country. Campaign was held concerning Karabakh problem and the crimes committed there, but it was not sufficient. The people listen to those who speak about such problems first. Armenians and Armenia have advantage, as they are strong in America, Europe and especially in France, and first of all they make others listen to their views. I think the mutual visit of the Swedish and Azerbaijani parliamentary delegations will be useful.

A group of Swedish parliamentarians has recently visited Baku at the invitation of the Azerbaijani side. But the tactics was a little bit wrong. The parliamentarians were offered to pay the visit at the expenses of the Azerbaijani side. This is wrongly assessed in Sweden. Such visits are not so effective, as the persons visiting in this manner are ashamed or do not want to speak about some things.

You know that the recent meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents was not successful. How do you think what role Europe can play in the resolution of Nagorno Karabakh problem? Which steps must be taken to prevent a new war in the Caucasus?

I believe Europe was late and acts unfairly with regard to Karabakh problem. Europe does not care what happened in Karabakh, who is right, who is wrong. They are engaged in more favorable and easier issues. Moreover, they do not see any interest when it comes to the foreign policy. Their approach to Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict over Karabakh is similar to their approach to Cyprus. In Europe they said “We did not know that the Greek said ‘no’ in the referendum held in Cyprus, we were mistaken.” Maybe ten years later speaking about Karabakh they will say “We did not know, we were mistaken”. Karabakh conflict must be solved fairly, but I am afraid more dangerous incidents may happen there. One must not approach Azerbaijan and Armenia similarly, because Azerbaijan is the side that lost its territory. Maybe years later Europe will support Azerbaijan, but it may be very late.

The most logical step to be taken by Azerbaijan is to solve the problems in the area of human rights. Several years ago Turkey kept the human rights problem in the focus of attention, most of those problems have been solved and now Europe does not say anything else to Turkey. They simply demand the solution of the Kurdish problem, but the problem of human rights has almost been solved. Such problem still remains in Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani government must solve its internal problems. 50 percent of the people supported the government in the elections in Turkey. Of course, in this case, that government is very strong in the foreign policy. Azerbaijan must be strong inside, so that it is heard abroad. For now this is not so. Azerbaijan is viewed as a country having internal problems.

As you know, there are serious problems in the area of human rights in Armenia. But Europe prefers not to see it... What about the lobby?

Lobbies are strong in the European countries, though not in Sweden. Syrian lobby is strong in Sweden, but Armenian lobby is strong in France and UK, the most important countries of the European Union. They see Armenia as a country in hard conditions surrounded by enemies. There is injustice. I do not want to say that religion plays role here, but Azerbaijan is a Muslim country and it has some influence…

Last year the Swedish parliament adopted a decision on recognition of “Armenian genocide”. As you know, the genocide was committed against peaceful Azerbaijanis in Khojaly in 1992. In your opinion, can the European parliaments recognize the genocides committed against Muslims? Is there an assumption that the Khojaly genocide will be adopted in the European parliaments?

It is the case like Pandora box: If the parliaments assess the historical events once, you will not be able to ask to close this topic. I have said it in my speech in the parliament. It is true, I couldn’t persuade my party, our party thinks so. But in my speech, I have concretely said that the parliaments must not appraise the history. If the box is opened, the other incidents must also pass from there. For example, if there is a proposal on Khojaly, we must discuss and adopt a decision, otherwise in my opinion it would be wrong.

You also were in “Freedom flotilla” which carried aid to Gaza. We remember the end of this incident very well. Despite the world community’s protest to Israel, no sanctions were used against this country. In your opinion, why did Israel’s acts remain unpunished?

Last year I joined the “Freedom flotilla”. Our 9 people were killed there. This is a deliberate incident realized by the order of Israeli Defense Ministry. We see it as a crime. This is the act which needs both apology and payment of compensation. Israel must admit its mistake. The rallies held by us in Sweden and the other places last year had effects. Israel was reprobated in the UN Security Council and America didn’t use the right to veto for Israel. Israel had to weaken the embargo against Gaza. The EU countries also criticized Israel the Israeli products were boycotted among the people. Three our MPs joined the rally, everybody returned safe and sound.

In his issue Israel conducts policy “either you are wiåð us, or our enemies”. America seriously protects Israel in this issue and will never give up. But Israel will be in difficult situation because there are revolutions in Arabic countries and the governments are changing in the region. Now it will not be easy to use the cold war and terror methods.


/APA/
URL: http://www.today.az/news/politics/90804.html

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