Interview with Co-Chair of Russia’s Fair Cause political party, political analyst Leonid Gozman.
Q: Russian PM’s long-anticipated visit to Ankara was preceded by a similar official visit to Turkey by Russian President. Experts say the relations between the two countries have reached qualitatively new level. How do you assess the current bilateral relations between Moscow and Ankara?
A: Of course, these relations are developing at a fast pace. At present the sides are discussing a number of economic and bilateral issues. For example, the sides are negotiating to lift visa requirements. In principle, the visa requirements were purely symbolic previously. Russians only paid 20 dollars once they arrived in Turkey. It is believed that Turkey opted to build closer ties with Russia after it realized that it will not be admitted to the European Union any time soon…
Well, I do not think that Turkey no longer aspires to the EU. Keep in mind that Turkey is a country with enormous potential in almost all fields. Today rapprochement with Turkey meets Russia’s interests.
Q: In your opinion, may Russia-Turkey rapprochement influence early resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?
A: In my opinion, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has no solution in the foreseeable future because there is no solution formula that would suit both parties. What suits Baku does not suit Yerevan and vice versa. Talking about each of the two conflicting parties, I would like to note that relations between Moscow and Yerevan are strong enough. Russia and Armenia are partners and allies. This relationship has lasted long enough, and I think no major changes will take place in near future.
Q: And what about the relations between Moscow and Baku? Do you agree that they have become even closer and stronger over the past years?
A: I would say that Russia's relations with Azerbaijan have always been at the highest level. The basis of the high level of bilateral relations was laid in Azerbaijan by Heydar Aliyev. Today this trend is continued by current President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.
So, continuing the theme of Russian-Turkish rapprochement through the prism of effect on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, I hope very much that conflict will not go back to the phase of military hostilities. And if it happens, I hope that Russia will not be involved.
Q: Currently, there have been wide discussions in Armenia over draft amendments to the laws "On Language" and "On Education", which involves opening foreign-language schools in the country. Such amendments have caused discontent with many among ordinary citizens, politicians and even officials. Azerbaijan, which has always had schools in foreign languages, in particular, in Russian, to put it mildly, is surprised at this reaction.
A: One should bear in mind that Armenia is a mono-ethnic state with Armenians making up 98 percent of the population. Perhaps, it is one of the most mono-ethnic states in the world. On one hand, such a reaction is understandable. There may be afraid of repeating the Soviet past, when the main language was Russian in all former Soviet republics and national language was of a secondary importance. However, this is the case with all empires.
This was normal for the USSR. In India, for example, since its colonization by Britain, education began to be carried out in English, and only poor people could not give their children an education in that language. However, national language should be principal in independent countries.
However, if a country wishes to develop, if it intends to further integrate into the global community, of course, it needs to provide education in other languages as well. There is nothing bad about it. There are only advantages. After all, the Armenian language is not an international language.
/Day.Az/
Robert Gates promises to tell President Obama how important Nagorno Karabakh conflict resolution is for Azerbaijan
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who is visiting Baku, met with Azerbaijan’s Defense Minister, Colonel-General Safar Abiyev, spokesman for the Defense Ministry, Lieutenant-Colonel Eldar Sabiroglu told.
Following the solemn welcoming ceremony at the Defense Ministry, the state anthems of both countries were played.
Safar Abiyev noted the brief history of Azerbaijan-US military cooperation founded by Heydar Aliyev in 1997 and underlined that Azerbaijan attaches great importance to the cooperation with the US.
Speaking about the joint contributions to the struggle against the international terrorism and to other security processes, Minister said the situation is complicated and tense in the South Caucasus because of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno Karabakh. He appreciated the role of the US as a co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group.
Safar Abiyev underlined that section 907 has negative influence on the US-Azerbaijan relations.
Gates noted that President Barack Obama’s letter to President Ilham Aliyev, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s upcoming visit and his present visit to Baku are obvious examples of the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and the United States. Gates emphasized that when he returns home he will tell President Obama how important the solution to Nagorno Karabakh conflict is for Azerbaijan. The US Defense Secretary mentioned a number of important issues and said he would make best efforts towards abolition of Section 907.
Then Safar Abiyev expressed hopes that Azerbaijan and the United States will establish real partnership relations and the Defense Secretary’s visit to Azerbaijan will make new contribution to the development of this partnership.
APA
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