Interview with Bulent Aras, head of the Center of Strategic Research at Turkish Foreign Ministry.
Q: Are the Turkish-Azerbaijani relations important for the region?
A: The Turkish-Azerbaijani relations are of utmost importance for Turkey. On the contrary, the relations with Turkey are of utmost importance for Azerbaijan. The relations between these countries are in turn of utmost importance for the region in particular in implementation of different large-scale projects.
Turkey’s importance for Azerbaijan is also its membership in NATO. As is known, Turkey is one of the important members of NATO and it can ensure Azerbaijan’s interests in this military and political bloc.
Q: Are the international mediators successful in fulfilling their tasks in settling the Karabakh conflict?
A: Naturally, the OSCE Minsk Group made a definite work in solving the Karabakh conflict. However, it failed to attain any results and passiveness was observed in its activity.
The Minsk Group activity intensified after signing protocols between Turkey and Armenia about normalizing of bilateral ties. In other words, these protocols intensified the activity of the Minsk Group, but the process has not yet given a positive result. Nonetheless, these protocols intensified the activity of the OSCE Minsk Group but the process has not yet given a positive effect. Nonetheless, Turkey is in turn ready to put efforts to attain progress in Karabakh settlement.
These protocols promoted the world community’s awareness that the resolution of the Armenian-Turkish relations is connected with the settlement of the Karabakh conflict. Turkey is also working with other regional countries-Russia and Iran in this direction. Ankara will further work to solve the Karabakh conflict.
Q: How do you assess the outcomes of the recent meeting of the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia on 5 March in Sochi held at the initiative of the Russian leadership?
A: Though small, but a definite step forward was made in the direction of the Karabakh settlement in Sochi. I believe that there is a possibility for diplomatic settlement of the conflict in the resolution of this problem. Azerbaijan and Armenia must settle the Karabakh conflict peacefully.
Q: 24 April, the next anniversary of the so-called ‘Armenian genocide’ is nearing. What is the negative role of the insistence of the Armenian side on international recognition of events of 100 years ago in normalizing of interstate relations?
A: The Turkish side offered the Armenian party to create a joint commission on investigation of 1915 events. However, the Armenian side still continue preventing such a commission. It is impossible to attain a breakthrough in this issue unless one of the parties, in this case, Armenia will continue rejecting to discuss this issue.
Q: The cases of violating ceasefire regime have recently become frequent on the contact line of Azerbaijani and Armenian troops over which observers voice concern that this may resume war. What is Turkey’s position in this issue?
A: Turkey has always spoken for peace settlement of the conflict. Turkey is not interested in a new war in Karabakh and will put all efforts for peace settlement of the conflict.
Q: Can Azerbaijan rely on Turkey’s support in case of a new war?
A: Turkey and Azerbaijan have no agreement about military assistance, however, there are numerous documents, signed between these two countries, which envision mutual assistance in military sphere.
Lala B.
News.Az
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