Interviews with Azerbaijani MP Sabir Rustamkhanli, leader of the opposition Civic Solidarity Party.
Q: Can the current level of Azerbaijani-Turkish relations be considered satisfactory?
A: Turkey is the country with which Azerbaijan has its most important relations. Despite the pressure of the United States and Europe, Turkey is demanding the liberation of the occupied Azerbaijani lands as a condition for opening its border with Armenia. Turkey raises this issue at the highest levels to which Azerbaijan does not have access.
At the same time, I would like to note that economic relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey are expanding every year. Our ties in the military sphere and other areas are also becoming more intensive. Nevertheless, I wish greater success to Azerbaijani-Turkish relations in all spheres. Both countries have the potential to achieve this. But unfortunately, some of this potential is lost while other parts remain unused.
Q: Why is this?
A: Azerbaijan is a small country, so many countries have their interests here. We should opt for greater integration with Turkey according to the European formula. Unfortunately, we are always talking about unity between Azerbaijan and Turkey but not doing anything. The first step towards unity would be rapprochement between Azerbaijan and Turkey. Then most problems would automatically disappear. Unfortunately, Turkey has not shown any readiness for such unity. In turn, in the first years of independence, Azerbaijan should have gone for closer rapprochement with Turkey in order to secure its future. While it is not too late, Azerbaijan should achieve closer unity with Turkey and integrate with it.
Q: What do you mean by closer integration?
A: First of all, an economic and customs union and lifting of visa requirements. Azerbaijan and Turkey need a formula between them similar to the EU formula. European countries that clashed in two world wars last century live in unity today; they have open borders, a visa-free regime, and tackle economic problems together. They have a single parliament which helps to overcome economic crisis. European countries allocate funds to tackle problems. I believe the EU model can also be applied to Azerbaijan and Turkey.
Q: What difficulties may this entail?
A: Many leaders of Turkic states do not understand this need. It took many years for the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic-Language States to be created. However, some Turkic-language states are in no hurry to join, despite the fact that Azerbaijan, Turkey, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are members of the assembly. This does not mean that people and nations that are not represented in the assembly do not want to join. All nations in Turkic-language states want such unity, but some leaders lack the political will to see it through. They either do not understand the need for unification or their hearts are not filled with a desire for Turkic unity.
Q: How sincere is Turkey in attaining this unity and does it hamper other Turkic states in implementing this idea?
A: Of course, this does not depend only on Turkey. It seems that Turkey has been unable to lead other Turkic states. After the collapse of the USSR, Turkey started to provide assistance to the Turkic states. At that time Turkey created several organizations. However, due to the absence of the right policy, these efforts were limited to trade relations. Turkey faced difficulties in implementing the idea of the unity of Turkic states. This unity was hampered by the EU and other big countries. The superpowers do not want the strengthening of Turkey and Azerbaijan. However, if the Turkic states have a single idea and demonstrate political will, they will be able to attain such unity.
Q: Is deepening cooperation in the military sphere between Azerbaijan and Turkey realistic?
A: Our young people are studying at military schools in Turkey, but, unfortunately, most of them, including those who study at Turkish civilian schools, are unable to find a job when they return home. As for military cooperation, Azerbaijan is cooperating with NATO. However, despite the fact that Azerbaijan has declared that it is building its armed forces in line with NATO and Turkish standards, it is still unwilling to give up Russian traditions. Positive results cannot be achieved when the army is operating under two systems. We are aware of the fact that the key to solution of the Karabakh conflict lies in Moscow. But we should do everything possible to secure Russia's departure from this region soon. Otherwise, the situation in the South Caucasus will not change.
Leyla Tagiyeva
News.Az
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