U.S. president promised help to resolve Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: Turkish MP

Day.Az: How do you assess Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s recent visit to the U.S.?  

Yasar Yakis: This visit took place at the best level, and the parties have done everything possible to address their concerns and bring the relations between the countries to a higher level. Erdogan has got answers to questions that the Turkish people are concerned over. Obama also had a chance to get a clear picture of what he can expect from Turkey.

During his U.S. visit, Erdogan did his best for Azerbaijan at the talks with the U.S. president. Azerbaijan can be sure that Erdogan spoke of Azerbaijan as his own country and asked Barack Obama’s support in addressing Azerbaijan’s problems. The U.S. is one of the two countries that can resolve the Karabakh conflict. Erdogan asked for U.S. help to accelerate the solution to this problem taking advantage of its position in the world and in the Minsk Group. It should be noted that the Minsk Group has recently intensified efforts, but there are no results yet. Obama promised to help resole the Karabakh problem within his capabilities. The visit proved very useful for our region and nation as a whole.

The Turkey-Armenia protocols were one of the major issues debated at the meeting…

At a press conference held after the bilateral meeting, the Armenian journalist asked Erdogan: “While signing the protocols, you said that the issue is not related to Karabakh. But later at a speech in the Azerbaijani parliament you said that the protocols will not be fulfilled until the Karabakh problem is resolved. Don’t you think these are contradictory statements?”

Erdogan answered that by signing the protocols, the Turkish government demonstrated its will. These protocols should be ratified by the parliament. Turkish prime minister clearly stated that the parliament will not approve the protocols until the Karabakh problem is resolved just as the act of the March 2003 which enabled the U.S. to attack Iraq from Turkish territory. But the parliament did not approve it. If a similar case happens with the Turkish-Armenian protocols, Armenia will win nothing from this.

Did Obama voice his wish for Turkey’s opening borders and establishing relations with Armenia again?

Obama noted a need to accelerate steps to normalize relations with Armenia and ratify the protocols. Erdogan also stressed that the government has fulfilled its task and signed the protocols. Now it is up to the parliament to decide future of the protocols. The parliament is very sensitive about this issue. These protocols are unlikely to be discussed even by the parliamentary committee on foreign affairs until there is progress in resolution of the Karabakh conflict.

The executive branch can not put pressure on the legislature. Erdogan made it clear to Obama, and noted that Turkey is a democratic country where all issues are solved by voting. You can not force the Congress to adopt a decision. Similarly, the Turkish government can not dictate anything to the parliament. Everything depends on the parliament’s will. It is not only legal procedures, but also political will. Today the Turkish society and the parliament are not ready for this process.

Was the so-called “Armenian genocide” discussed at the meeting?

The so-called "Armenian genocide" was not a key issue discussed at the Obama-Erdogan meeting. Obama said that prior to Erdogan's visit to the United States, the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) appealed to the White House to exert pressure on Turkish prime minister to recognize the "genocide". In response, Obama said ANCA that he places great importance on Turkey, and, if they wish to normalize relations with Turkey, they themselves should also take necessary steps.

It is wrong to accuse Turkey unilaterally. If you want something from Turkey, you must also make some concessions. The process of normalization of relations should be mutual. Obama also sees solution to the so-called "genocide" in the normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations. He knows that this issue will be resolved by a joint commission to study the history of Turkish-Armenian relations. The historians will say the final word.

What progress has been made on regional energy projects, especially on Nabucco?

I do not have sufficient information about details of the discussions. But, I am aware of Erdogan’s  position on the matter. Erdogan has a normal attitude to Russia-backed "South Stream" project. This project could meet great part of the European demand while Nabucco will meet only 10 percent. However, there always will be a need for Nabucco. Azerbaijan’s Gunashli field and Iraqi fields are main sources to fill up Nabucco.

Nabucco needs Iranian gas as well to increase its profitability. Turkey support transport of the Iranian gas via the pipeline while the U.S. does not. For fear of sanctions by the United States, no one dares to support Iran’s accession to Nabucco. This situation increases concerns about the fate of Nabucco. But the U.S. is one of the main supporters of Nabucco. The White House is interested in this project. Obama Administration has undertook lobbying Nabucco. Obama asked Erdogan to support regional projects which are great importance for the United States.

Society for suppression of unlawful claims about so-called "Armenian genocide" has filed a suit with the European Court of Justice against Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan on charges of Khojali genocide ..

In order to appeal to the European Court on Human Rights with such charges, first they must have relevant decisions of the Armenia courts. If these decisions do not satisfy the plaintiff, he may appeal to the European Court. Only in this case financial compensation may be imposed. In other words, Sargsyan can be forced to pay compensation to the victims of the tragedy or his property may be seized.

As to legal assessment of Khojaly events and holding Sargsyan criminally accountable, this trial can be held in the UN. UN has already organized courts on Rwanda and Yugoslav events. The forces that wish to achieve justice in this matter could bring Sargsyan to the court-martial on charges of committing war crimes.

But the process of filing suit with the European Court on Human Rights will fail. They must first apply to the courts of Armenia.

Fuzuli
Day.Az