Interview with Volkan Bozkir, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Turkish Parliament
-Are you satisfied with the current level of the relations between the Turkish and Azerbaijani parliaments?
-Turkey and Azerbaijan are indeed one nation, two states. The relations between our incumbent and former presidents have always been close, warm, friendly. Of course, it is natural that the interparliamentary relations are as close as I have mentioned. Parliamentary elections were held in Turkey, speaker of the parliament, chairman of the commissions were elected. We as the Foreign Affairs Commission considered it necessary to establish our relations first of all with Azerbaijan. Speaker of the Azerbaijani parliament visited Turkey, we were pleased with this visit. In our turn, we also paid our first visit to Azerbaijan. We, the newly-elected parliamentarians, got acquainted with each other and discussed our future steps, relations between the commissions. We think very important tasks are awaiting the two parliaments.
-You told journalists in Baku that the Zurich protocols signed between Turkey and Armenia will not be discussed at the Turkish parliament. Is this the position of the government, or the decision of the Turkish parliament?
-Nagorno Karabakh problem is not only Azerbaijan’s, but also Turkey’s problem. The solution of this problem – liberation of the occupied Azerbaijani territories, return of the refugees to their native lands is our problem until it is solved. In other words, Turkey will not open the border with Armenia until this problem is solved, the occupied Azerbaijani territories are taken back as Azerbaijan wishes.
The Zurich protocols were signed amid Turkey’s searches “Is there any solution to Azerbaijan’s problem?” “Can peace be restored in the region?”. But as you see, we showed the entire world that the attempts that we started with regard to Armenia had no chances to move forward. It was proved that Armenia would not demonstrate goodwill. It was useful both for Turkey and Azerbaijan. The Zurich protocols are at the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Turkish Parliament. But as chairman of the Foreign Affairs Commission I have the authority to include or not to include any issue into the agenda. I reiterate that being chairman of the Foreign Affairs Commission I will not include the Zurich protocols into the agenda. But the Zurich protocols can be reconsidered, if the current situation changes, the problem between Azerbaijan and Armenia is solved, Azerbaijan is satisfied and it becomes exact that the protocols will favor these relations.
In any case, Turkey will not do anything undesirable for Azerbaijan. In Turkey, all commission members, party officials have same ideas on this issue. We have same ideas with our government on this issue. I will not include the Zurich protocols in agenda while the current situation is continuing.
- We would like to hear your opinion about the Turkey-Armenia relations. There are no diplomatic relations between the countries. But generally is there any relationship? Many Armenian citizens earn money in Turkey, direct flights are carried out and etc. Are all of these links considered as a relationship?
- As you mention, there are no diplomatic relations between Turkey and Armenia, we don’t appoint ambassadors to this country. But there are Armenian citizens working in Turkey. We have to say that we have no problems with the people, but we have problems with the state and policy. In other words, we always make choice in favor of Azerbaijan. We know that Armenian earnings in Turkey are not enough to maintain or save this country. It can only maintain a group of people. Obviously after the end of the occupation, Azerbaijan will consider these issues in other way. If Armenia is fully isolated, it will make different decisions. Today this country suffers from economic slump, fall in population and isolation and it can not make independent decisions. But while making decision there and realizing it in Armenia, Armenian Diasporas in Europe and US don’t care about their compatriots in Armenia, who suffer from poverty. If Armenia is wise enough, first it will eliminate this injustice against Azerbaijan, withdraw from the occupied lands and create opportunity for the Azerbaijanis expelled from their homelands to return home. Armenia has tied hands and unfortunately it will continue for a time. We want to give a hand of friendship, to establish peace in the region. Azerbaijan is our strategic partner and friend in this issue. No peace, no welfare will be established in the region without Azerbaijan. Turkey and Azerbaijan will together bring peace and welfare to the region. There are very important projects. One of these projects was realized. According to the last agreement, Azerbaijan will invest 5 billion dollars in Turkey. If you give these resources to crisis-hit countries in Europe, they can improve their economic state. Turkey and Azerbaijan are developing and this development will extend into the Central Asia. We expect that looking at developing Turkey and Azerbaijan one day Armenia will not accept its poverty and will understand its responsibility.
- All of us expect it from Armenia, but they don’t understand their responsibility or don’t want to do that. As the chairman of the Turkish parliament’s commission, what do you think, should Azerbaijan wait or begin a war giving a concrete time to Armenia for withdrawal from the occupied lands before? If Azerbaijan begins a war, how will Turkey react?
- I am a diplomat with 38-year work experience. The war is inadmissible for me. We would never want a war. Azerbaijan and Turkey don’t want a war, they waited so long. If Azerbaijan wanted, it would liberate its lands by war. But wise countries try to solve the problems peacefully instead of war. Turkey and Azerbaijan are wise countries. The war means that resources destined for welfare of the people are spent for weapons. It will be correct that Azerbaijan and Turkey, which have important economic achievements, spend their resources for the welfare of the people. Azerbaijan won confidence while being elected to the UN Security Council. Azerbaijan was elected to the UN Security Council because of its wisdom and credibility. If the country solves problems by war, it can not be elected to the UN Security Council. Therefore we have to seek peaceful way of solution of the problems.
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