Interview with Mais Safarli, chairman of the Yurddash party, former deputy of Azerbaijani Parliament (Milli Majlis).
Q: Is it possible to consider Georgia’s position in Karabakh issue quite satisfactory?
A: Georgia has always supported the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and spoken for the peaceful resolution of the Karabakh conflict within the framework of norms of international law. Georgia supported this policy both under former president Eduard Shevarnadze and adheres to it under current president Mikhail Saakashvili. Thus, Georgia’s position meets Azerbaijan’s interests.
Q: Is it possible to believe that in case of resumption of military actions around Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia will demand from Georgia to cut transit of energy sources from Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan will in turn demand blocking the supplies of goods to Armenia via Black Sea ports? And in this case, the demand of which side, Baku or Yerevan, will be more weighty for Georgia?
A: I believe that economically Georgia is more bound to Azerbaijan. Today the transit of Azerbaijani oil and gas is one of the sources of Georgia’s revenues. Tbilisi understands that in case they get to be outside Azerbaijan’s interests, their economic state will worsen. Therefore, the pressure of Baku on Tbilisi, may become more weighty. Armenia has no levers of pressure on Tbilisi. The only lever in the hands of Armenia is their diaspora which will create a stir in the world, but this is not the lever to use it against Tbilisi. Today not only Georgian elite but also every Georgian is aware that their future, economic development are directly bound to Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan does not depend on Georgia in the transit of its hydrocarbons, since it has enough alternative routes to supply its oil and gas to the world markets. In this sense, I would like to repeat that Azerbaijan has a chance to put effective pressure on Georgia.
Q: How effective can be the use of Azerbaijanis in Georgia by Baku to put pressure on Tbilisi?
A: This factor is also quite a strong means in Baku’s hands. The situation with separatism remains quite strained. In the result of this separatism, a definite part of Georgian lands have been occupied. Therefore, if the central powers of Georgia have the same problems with Azerbaijanis, the future of the Georgian state may be queried. Tbilisi is aware of this reality, since Azerbaijanis in Georgia have always protected and defended the state interests of their country.
Q: Can the tensions between Azerbaijanis and Armenians in Georgia rise in case of war between Azerbaijan and Armenia?
A: I believe such a conflict between Azerbaijanis and Armenians in Georgia is highly unlikely. I do not think that Armenians in Georgia can create such a conflict. But as is known the number of Azerbaijanis in Georgia is higher than of Armenians. In addition, Azerbaijanis’ position in Georgia is economically and politically higher.
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Lala B.
News.Az
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