Abdullah Gul: "During my visit to Yerevan we did not say a single word about opening of borders between Armenia and Turkey"

- You gave information to media about your visit to Armenia. What would you like to say about your visit to Azerbaijan?

- First of all I welcome all my Azerbaijani brothers. I know that they follow this visit with great interest and I want them to feel certain of us. I do believe in importance of being two states and one nation and its further continuation. When we look at the world map we see Caucasus as small place, but there are many problems in this region. We saw conflict between Georgia and Russia a month ago. It is impossible to keep silence, we should initiate and take serious measures to solve problems of our region. My visit and the visit of Prime Minister should be followed within this framework. We have proposed Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform for this purpose on time. Important countries of the region should take measures to solve issues via dialogue. Our Prime Minister Erdogan visited Russia, Georgia and Azerbaijan and discussed these issues. There was a random chance during the world qualifying championship. Turkish and Armenian national teams were at the same group. After this, Armenian president invited me to Yerevan. It demands courage to say to Turkish President to come and to watch the match together. We know that there occurs dashnaks and other groups, which are against this issue. Why did I receive this invitation? I believed in creation of chance to conduct discussions to solve problems in the region.

I wanted to seize this occasion for the discussion of Nagorno Karabagh conflict and problems between Turkey and Armenia. To tell the truth, I was satisfied with the realization of this visit, because state figures should measure thrice and cut once and take any decisive step afterwards. If we freeze the problem, it will be worse and worse. Then these frozen problems become de facto. Therefore, state figures should conduct discussions hardily. We all look like each other in this small land as Caucasus. The majority speaks Turkish in the region or understands this language – one should move this potential ahead and find solution to the problems. During my visit, I very openly talked to president Sargsyan on these issues. I talked to him more openly about all what I am talking to you and stressed the importance of resolution of the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

In the framework of this visit we discussed two issues, including Nagorno Karabakh. We did not say a single word about opening of borders between Turkey and Armenia. In order not to offend Azerbaijani people I ordered my guards and the cars to cross Armenian border not from Kars, but via Georgia, which is 600 meters more.

- What was Armenia's action?

- I passed an independent decision. No country influenced me in my decision. However, I am pleased to receive estimation from several countries. Armenia has understood that it is obliged to cooperate with neighboring countries, as well as the whole world. Otherwise, there will not be peace in the region and Armenia can be assessed as the country standing on the way of peace. I believe in good assessment of this chance by Sargsyan. Old policy should be left behind. We should look forward as regional countries.

- When you were Turkish Foreign Minister and represented Turkey in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, you always stated that you carried out reforms in Turkey not for Europe, Brussels, Strasbourg, but for Turkic peoples. Today, western analysts stress the importance of deepening of democratic reforms for the solution of problems. You left a message in this direction in Armenia. Will you also give any message in Azerbaijan in this regards?

- I represented Turkey in the Council of Europe for years. I remember when Heydar Aliyev demonstrated great decisiveness and made Azerbaijan become the member of the Council of Europe. Today, Honorable Ilham Aliyev continues this way. Democracy is not the process to gain within a day. Turkey has been the member of the Council of Europe since 1948 and one of the members, which established the organization. As the reforms are deepened, we are demanded new ones. Existence of democracy will require further deepening of stability in the region and cooperation between the countries and increase of welfare of peoples. The leadership of Azerbaijan will make every effort for deepening of democracy in the country not depending on my any message. I will be greatly satisfied with the development of democracy. And at the same time I do believe that President Ilham Aliyev will also be proud of this.

- Armenia’s "genocide" claims are mostly linked with pressure of come Armenian Diasporas on the West. Will you succeed to break off these pressures?

- Diaspora should also work for the welfare of Armenia. Diaspora should also be glad with Armenia’s endeavors to establish good-neighbor relations with its neighbors. I convey my best regards and respect to Azerbaijani People through APA. Let them always feel certain of us. We are always with Azerbaijan. The problem of Azerbaijan is the problem of my own and there can be no doubt about it. That’s why I am visiting Baku.

/APA/