Interview with Oqtay Sadikhzade, Azerbaijani political scientist.
Q: Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov is expected to pay an official visit to Turkey. What do you expect from the visit considering the recent developments in the bilateral ties?
A: This will be an extremely important visit for the Azerbaijani-Turkish interstate relations in anticipation of the possible ratification of the Turkish-Armenian protocols. The situation is clear. The Azerbaijani side and the Turkish political leadership have repeatedly noted that the future of these protocols are more than vague without the real progress in the issue of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. I think the visit will again stress the strategic partnership between Turkey and Azerbaijan and Ankara will keep its promise to Azerbaijan despite the influence of the United States and EU. We know that President Barack Obama also said it is senseless to bind the ratification of the Armenian-Turkish protocols to the progress in the Karabakh settlement during the recent visit of Turkish Premier Erdogan to the United States. It is a great pity that the US position does not comply with the spirit of the Azerbaijani-Turkish cooperation and dialogue. At the same time, we are independent states and it is not obligatory that the positions of all countries coincide on all issues including the positions of such strategic partners as the United States and Turkey.
Q: Do you think Turkey will be able to stand West’s pressure and not to ratify the said protocols?
A: I think the United States should realize that the three-million Armenian diaspora is certainly a serious factor but Turkey is the main, key partner of the United States in Southeastern Europe. Cooperation and mutual understanding with Ankara means more than several millions of Americans of Armenian ethnic. Much is left to the next presidential elections in the United States. And I think Mr.Obama will not pronounce the word “genocide” on 24 April 2010. Not only the United States but also EU will put a certain pressure on Ankara especially considering the complicated internal political situation in Turkey including connected with the unsettled Kurdish issue. But I think EU is not ready to admit Turkey even without this problem. EU will make up many reasons in order not to admit this country. EU will insist on the withdrawal of Turkish troops from the Cyprus or put forward other claims. The recent referendum on minarets in Switzerland showed that the Christian world is not ready to understand and open its doors to the Islamic world. But I think this is a matter of time. EU itself needs transformation processes.
Q: As is known, Azerbaijan has stated readiness to liberate its lands from Armenian occupation by way of war in case negotiations are ineffective. May Baku raise the issue of creating a military alliance with Ankara during Mammadyarov’s visit?
A: Today Ankara is not ready to sign the due treaty of creation of a military and technical alliance with us. We understand that it has its hands ties in this issue because of the obligations before NATO. Therefore, Azerbaijan does not insist on signing a military treaty. Meanwhile, we can boost military and technical cooperation especially in light of the anniversary of creation of defense industry of Azerbaijan that has over 100 contracts with 27 countries and exhibits over 60 military productions on the international level. But certainly the issue will finally come to the creation of the Azerbaijani-Turkish alliance.
Q: Are there chances that Armenia will realize the need for the goodwill withdrawal from the occupied Azerbaijani lands?
A: Unfortunately, Armenia is not ready even for partial withdrawal of its troops. But the ball is in the Armenian part of the field and Yerevan realizes it. On the other hand, Sargsyan’s position is more than shaky. The fact of the signing of protocols with Turkey causes indignation in the Armenian society and raises the risk of coup while the goodwill surrender of several regions will cause further resentment.
News.Az
