Turkey is going to turn into one of the main players in the Caucasus region, but it has to be careful with Russia, prominent experts concluded at a Jamestown Foundation conference “New geopolitics of the Northern Caucasus: new and old players” in US Capital on May 18, APA reported.
The Northern Caucasus region’s importance in the area and in the world is increasing and it needs more attention from Washington, Glen Howard, President of the Jamestown Foundation, said at the conference, pointing out the security problems not only remain but enlarge here.
Experts said with the increase of tensions in the region, Turkey becomes an important player on the arena. Mitat Chelikpala, professor at Ankara’s Political University, said Cherkess have as huge Diaspora in Turkey and therefore gets a great support among North Caucasus people.
Chelikpala also said the separatist Abkhazia’s president Sergei bagapsh has recently visited Turkey, although Turkish government said it was a cultural visit only.
“But nevertheless, Turkey let him come to the country, what is going to happen now”, the expert wonders, adding that Turkey will have to balance between Russia and Georgia. According to him, what Turkey concentrates on is becoming a leader not only in the Caucasus, but one of the leaders in the whole Eurasia region.
Chelikpala mentions Turkey’s move towards abolishing visa regime with Russia and activation of Turkey’s bilateral trade with the Caucasus region.
Turkey definitely supports Azerbaijan’s integrity and the fact that Nagorno-Karabakh belongs to Azerbaijan, Chelikpala said, describing the two countries’ relationship as steady and very close.
The professor said that Turkey is interested in stability, peace and development in the Caucasus region, and the country’s positions became stronger after the Russian-Georgian war. According to him, Turkey both wanted to strengthen its positions in this strategic region and benefit from its peaceful development and boosted trade.
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