Interview with Nezir Akyesilmen, professor of the Seljuk university of Turkey.
Q: Several politicians and experts have recently proposed an idea of maximal integration of economies of Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia. Is the implementation of this idea expedient?
A: Initiatives on integration of economies in the world, in general, and in the region, in particular, have always played an important role in preservation of stability and development. In this view, the model of South Caucasus economic integration, involving Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia, will promote stability and peace in the region.
But the formula that can promote this idea to a larger extent is Armenia’s involvement, because compared to the indicated countries, Armenia can contribute more to the implementation of economic integration in its full understanding and the improvement of the situation in the region.
Naturally, economic integration is connected not only with countries’ economies, since the developing economic ties will also promote political, social and culture relations between these countries. For this reason, involvement of Armenia, which has problems with Azerbaijan and partially with Turkey, will promote peace and stability in the region. Additionally, given its weak economy, Armenia is a country which needs such integration more than others.
However, this idea can be implemented only when the countries in this region demonstrate their will and can pass decisions freely without respect to foreign intervention. It is necessary that world and regional forces, headed by Russia, wished to play a real role in the new formation of the region. In other words, the scales of problems in the South Caucasus are not limited within their frames. Thus, despite existing difficulties, the initiative of economic integration in the South Caucasus will promote development and progress in the region, which in turn will play a significant role in the resolution of political problems.
Q: In which economic spheres can Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia join their efforts?
A: Turkey’s foreign trade exceeds $200bn, Georgia’s foreign trade reaches $5.5bn, while the foreign trade of Azerbaijan is $6.5bn. Turkey is economically active in both Azerbaijan and Georgia, being second after Russia on goods supplies to these countries. At the same time, Turkey and Azerbaijan are first and second in Georgia’s foreign trade. All the same, Turkey is the main goods supplier to Georgia.
When looking at the structure of the market and productions in the countries of the region, we can see the specific feature when mutual supplies are complementary to each others. For example when energy sources of Azerbaijan are necessary for meeting Turkey’s and Georgia’s inner demands, automobile and technical spare parts, electric engines, materials, equipment and tools made in Turkey are important goods for Azerbaijan and Georgia. Thus, the economies of these three countries start to supplement each other.
Q: Armenia makes territorial claims against Turkey and Azerbaijan. May Ankara and Baku propose a program of economic aid to Yerevan in return for Armenia's rejection of these claims?
A: Tools of international relations and foreign policy are not limited to political, military components, and security since presence of economic incentives is more important in our global world. Contribution to international peace, put forward by a theory of interdependence allows to provide economic aid to a side to a degree corresponding the level of its development.
Armenia is less developed, small and poorest country in the region.
It just causes resent towards itself by military force and hostility, nullifying all hopes for peace. However, the soft economic elements can be introduced in Armenia, thus, developing friendly relations with it. After this, political issues can be resolved easily through dialogue and fair cooperation. These economic instruments can consist of a package of proposals, ranging from regional economic integration, ending with a grant or economic assistance.
As a result, vast majority of people can feel economically and socially free from racial and nationalist groups. The greater is the number of politicians with broad horizons, the more will be opportunities for dialogue and discussion. However, the isolationist and nationalist policies gives rise to hostility and conflict in the parties. The region needs not conflict, but dialogue and peace. Not any force in the world, including, super power like the US, not solve can resolve problems by force, as is happening in Iraq and Afghanistan. Collaboration and partnership is the only way to solve problems, and only a strong party can start it.
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