BY FADIME OZKAN
STAR- The clouds were dispersed in Baku and now the spring is in the air. The resentment, which has occurred between Turkey and Azerbaijan recently with a potential to turn in to a crisis, ended with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Baku. We sounded out Baku which had the idea that the meetings aimed at normalizing Turkish-Armenian relations would result in opening the Armenian border before Nagorno-Karabakh recovers from occupation. Before Erdogan's visit, Azerbaijan was very offended and feared that Turkey would leave it alone.
All the people whom we spoke to expressed their love for Turkey. They said that Turkey was the only country which understands Azerbaijan and that when Armenia occupied their lands, Turkey has always been next to them. They also said that we are brothers and that they consider our prime minister as their prime minister as well. But they conclude their sentences by saying that they hope Turkey wouldn't disappoint them. When we met with a couple of authors, Azeri-Turkish Women Society Chairman Assoc. Prof. Tenzile Rustemhanli said that she wished that problems between Ankara-Yerevan and Baku are solved, Armenia leaves Azerbaijani lands and the peace prevails in the region. She added that but the EU, US or Russia wouldn't allow this.
The Azeri media, which has made the Azeri public's sensitivity more fragile based on the news covered by the Armenian media, approaches the issue more fervently. Before the visit, all the people in Baku have been holding their breath, watching the Turkish TV channels and waiting for Erdogan to visit and tell them that he is next to them. Erdogan said following his meeting with Azeri President Ilham Aliyev that borders wouldn't be opened, unless Armenia withdraws from the lands it had occupied. So all of these people who were very concerned started to smile.
Two statesmen gave the message to the people of these two friendly countries that there is no problem and that we are and we will continue to remain as two states and one nation. Aliyev said in Brussels that Turkey was asking a simple question of whether Karabagh is covered by the road map. Following his meeting with Erdogan, Aliyev gave a very simple and clear answer to his question by saying that the remarks made by his dear friend are the most valuable answer and that he was very grateful to Erdogan. When I asked some Azeri friends how the visit was paid by Erdogan, they said very clearly and simply that it was very good.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
