Turkey used to have strained relations with Greece and the thaw occurred owing to economic cooperation.
If economic cooperation prevails over political, it would be possible to settle problems, spokesman for the Turkish embassy Nihad Javaner said during a round table on integration processes in Middle Asia and the South Caucasus.
According to the Turkish diplomat, definite steps are needed for country's integration.
“We should reach integration in different spheres, including economy, but without free trade economic integration cannot be effective. We attach a great importance to relations with Turkic states. Having common language and common traditions is comfortable for our cooperation, yet we integrate more and seek removal of customs tariffs and other issues. We should work on this. If we attain an agreement with Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan on all integration issues, this will become a good example for other countries. If economic prosperity comes to the region, it will lead to people's welfare,” Javaner said.
The Turkish diplomat noted that after the USSR collapse Turkey recognized independence of all newly established countries, including Armenia.
“One of the most actively discussed issues in Turkey and Azerbaijan is signing of the Turkish-Armenian protocols. This does not mean that we will ratify the protocols tomorrow and they come into effects. However, Turkey wants to establish ties with all our neighbors and for this purpose it has recently held a huge work. We have repeatedly spoken of our provisions and said our ties with Armenia cannot be normalized without the settlement of the Karabakh conflict. We demand from Armenia to respect international law and withdraw from the occupied lands,” the spokesman said.
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