Interview with doctor of history, Professor Musa Gasimli.
Q: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to visit Azerbaijan in May to sign an agreement on gas prices. What other issues do you think will be covered during the visit?
A: Azerbaijan and Turkey are linked not only by oil and gas. The two countries primarily maintain strategic, friendly and fraternal relations. In this context, Erdogan’s visit to Baku will further strengthen relations between the two countries, lend them a new quality and promote discussion of a wider range of issues.
There are a number of issues that must be discussed between Turkey and Azerbaijan. These include not only the issue of gas but also strengthening the financial base between the countries ahead of the construction of a railway between Turkey and Azerbaijan, ensuring Nakhchivan is not blockaded and so on. All these are issues to be discussed.
Until the Karabakh conflict is settled, further relations between Turkey and Armenia will always be on the agenda. This will be a test for relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey. The date 24 April [marked by Armenians as "Genocide" Memorial Day] has already passed this year, but it will come round again. Armenia does not liberate the occupied Azerbaijani lands which means that the issue of opening the border between Turkey and Armenia will repeatedly be put on the agenda. Under pressure from different forces the borer issue may well be repeatedly raised for discussion.
I think it will be positive to increase these official visits.
Q: How realistic is ratification of the protocols between Turkey and Armenia?
A: The Constitutional Court of Armenia has passed the protocols but Turkey has not ratified them. At the same time, I do not think that the ratification issue has been fully rooted out. It will be raised from time to time, which may in turn influence relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Therefore, Erdogan’s visit to Baku will play an important role, as further cooperation between Turkey and Azerbaijan will be discussed.
Q: What do you think of the current stage in the Karabakh conflict? What separates us from a conflict settlement?
A: Though today Armenia has occupied part of Azerbaijani land, it has failed diplomatically, as the regime that Armenia created in the occupied lands has not gained international recognition. Second, Armenia has failed to create normal living conditions in these territories. This was a political mistake of the Armenian leadership.
In turn, Azerbaijan must also stick to its position, strengthen diplomatic relations, boost the army and raise the morale of the people. The occupation of Azerbaijani land does not meet our national interests and creates additional problems for us.
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