Interview with the deputy head of Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party, MP Sukru Ayalan.
Q: On 22 December, the French Senate is to discuss a bill criminalizing denial of genocide recognized by France, which will include denial that the killings of Armenians in Ottoman Turkey were genocide. What negative consequences can this bill have for Turkish-French relations, if it is adopted?
A: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has sent a letter to President Nicolas Sarkozy, calling on him to block the bill criminalizing denial of genocide. In his letter, the PM said that, if adopted, the bill would cause irreparable damage to Turkish-French relations. Of course, the ruling Justice and Development Party, as well as the Turkish Grand National Assembly believe that the possible decision of the French Senate would create major problems in relations between Ankara and Paris.
Q: What may the Turkish side do in response if the bill is passed?
A: Time will tell. Of course, the strengthening of Turkey's position in the region began to worry a number of European countries, including Paris. France is concerned about the strengthening of Turkey and Azerbaijan, the increase in the economic participation of the two countries in Europe and is, therefore, using the Armenian issue in an attempt to harm the image of our states. European countries raise the "Armenian" question from time to time when they feel the "need" to put pressure on Turkey.
Q: Will the Turkish prime minister's letter and the planned visit by a group of Turkish parliamentarians to France to explain to their French counterparts the inadmissibility of the bill be enough to prevent adoption of the law?
A: We hope that these measures will suffice and will prevent the adoption of the bill. If adopted, it will harm the interests of France itself.
Q: Can the possible decision of the French Senate influence further the normalization process of Turkish-Armenian relations?
A: As you know, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in his speech at the Azerbaijani parliament, put an end to this matter, noting that the normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations should be expected only when the occupied territories of Azerbaijan are liberated. Turkey remains committed to these assurances. This is the only true condition for the normalization of relations with Armenia. Therefore, any steps taken by European and other forces to change this position will not bring results.
Q: What joint measures, in your opinion, can Azerbaijan and Turkey take to counter the aspirations of the Armenian diaspora to achieve the recognition of the "Armenian genocide" by parliaments in Europe?
A: Of course, with the increasing political influence of Turkey and Azerbaijan in the region, strengthening the economies of these countries, Armenia will be forced to move away from its destructive activities. Accordingly, Armenia, faced with the joint resistance of Turkey and Azerbaijan, will not be able to put the "genocide" on the agenda.
I think that Armenia will stop attempts to have the "genocide" recognized by parliaments worldwide when it sees strong Turkey and strong Azerbaijan and will then admit that such actions harm its own interests.
Similarly, it should be noted that Turkey and Azerbaijan, besides direct inter-state relations, also cooperate within international organizations including the UN, OSCE and Council of Europe. But I think that the level of these relations is not sufficient. Therefore, our two countries should link their actions in international organizations to a greater extent.
Moreover, our diaspora organizations should step up their work, since, as you know, the activity of the Azerbaijani and Turkish diasporas is not so visible as that of the Armenian dispora. The activity of the Armenian diaspora is directed against Turkey and Azerbaijan. In this connection, our diasporas should step up their work and coordinate to a greater extent.
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