TREND Information, Azerbaijan
March 10 2006

We attach great importance to Turkish-Azerbaijani relationships –
Minister Abdullah Gul

Source: Trend
Author: R.Abdullayev

10.03.2006

Exclusive interview of Trend with the Turkish Foreign Minister,
Abdulla Gul

Question: How could you characterize the major principles of Ankara’s
foreign policy in respect to the South Caucasus countries? What are
your visions on the nearest perspectives of development of
cooperation between Turkey and Azerbaijan?

Answer: Provision of security and stability in the South Caucasus has
always been a priority direction of our foreign policy. Our
relationships with the countries of the region are based on deep
historic and culture roots. In this context we attach special
importance to see in the South Caucasus independent, peacefully
co-existing and cooperating countries with firm political and
economic stability, as well as economic assistance to these
countries.
The strategic cooperation and friendly relationships of Turkey with
Azerbaijan and Georgia get more and more intensified. Turkey with
satisfaction observes and simultaneously supports the aspiration of
both countries to acquiring a deserved place in the world community.
We put successive efforts for consolidation of independence and
sovereignty, as well as maintenance of territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan and Georgia.
We pay special attention to the relationships between Turkey and
Azerbaijan, which were very good characterized by former late
Azerbaijani Heydar Aliyev as `one nation, two countries’. The
development of bilateral relationships in all spheres excites
satisfaction. With respect to enable Azerbaijan to overcome the
difficulties that evolved after independence Turkey has rendered a
comprehensive support to Baku in the military, financial, technical,
human and education spheres. Such support and assistance will
continue in future.
Democratization of the South Caucasus is one of the major goals of
Turkey’s foreign policy. We consider democracy as a warranty of a
long-term stability. It is important to provide an opportunity for
statement of position through democratic channels in the context of
development of pluralist democracy of oppositional establishments
functioning within the constitutional frames. Despite some shortages
the 6 November parliamentary elections in 2005 were a stage in the
development of democracy in Azerbaijan. Uninterrupted continuation of
the process of democratization and implementation of reforms in this
respect are very important.
We share with fraternal Azerbaijan the common human notions like
democracy, the superiority of the law, and respect to human rights
and freedom. We will continue supporting the efforts of the
Azerbaijani authorities in the establishment of democratic
institutions in the country, as well as the upgrade of the market
economy.
Our common will is further development of economic and trade
relationships, which have great potential. Certainly, utilization of
the economic potential based on rich natural resources of the Caspian
Sea will benefit not only Azerbaijan and Turkey, but also the entire
region.
Along with the bilateral relationships with the South Caucasus
countries Turkey gives priority to the development of regional
cooperation. Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia jointly carry out several
projects and each of them can be characterized as a `formula of
success’. The commencement of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) export
oil pipeline in 2006, the scheduled completion of the construction of
the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzerum gas pipeline, as well as continuation of
engineering work under the construction of
Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku (KATB) railway route, that we wish to
put into exploitation in the nearest future, are only few of these
important projects.

Question: What is Turkey’s position in the issue of resolution of
conflict situations in the South Caucasus region? Is it possible to
expect from Ankara any official initiative on the settlement of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?

Answer: Since the completion of the cold war [and even now] the South
Caucasus has become as arena of dramatic events. The collisions on
interethnic basis and territorial issues resulted in death of
thousands of people, while ten thousands of people became homeless.
The unsettlement of `suspended conflicts’ is great hindrance in the
way of establishment of durable stability and prosperity of the
region.
Today the South Caucasus region with its rich natural wealth and
special geographic location has become one of the centers of
attention of the world community. It is necessary to benefit the
attention of the international community in the process of settlement
of regional conflicts.
Manifestation of any instability in the region is actually a
potential which negatively impacts on Turkey’s interests. Therefore,
it is very important to intensify the efforts for peaceable
resolution of conflicts, which will be recognized by all sides and be
based on major principles of the international law.
Major principles that our positions are based in the
Nagorno-Karabakh problem are well known. The conflict provoked by
Armenia through the violation of the principles of the international
law, including the inviolability of the state borders by force and
respect to the territorial integrity, concerns not only the countries
of the region, but also all sides interested in peace, stability and
tranquility in the south Caucasus.
Turkey, being a member of the OSCE Minsk Group, attentively
observes a process of the conflict resolution. We hope that under the
Paris format it will be possible to promote the peaceable resolution
of the conflict. It is important to continue the dialogue between
Azerbaijan and Armenia on the level of Presidents and Foreign
Ministers.
Undoubtedly, the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will
greatly contribute the development of regional cooperation and
normalization of the relationships between Armenia and Turkey. As a
member of the OSCE Minsk Group we still believe in the necessity of
active contribution in the search of ways of resolution.
We still see a platform enabling for the resolution of the conflict
at the OSCE Minsk Group. At the same time we are sure that
far-sighted and more multifaceted approach, as well as creative
innovations will be profitable to remove the exiting disagreements.
Absence of any progress in the resolution of the conflict in the
course of the meeting of the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents held
in Paris on 10-11 February 2006 actually disappointed the world
community. It would be profitable for all to continue in 2006 the
efforts for the solution of the conflict.

Question: What steps does Turkey plan to take to ensure the security
of huge regional energy projects such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil
pipeline and the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzerum gas pipeline?

Answer: Over the past 28 years Turkey has used the Kerkek-Yumurtalik
pipeline, while starting from 2002 – the Iranian gas pipeline. So
far, no negative moment linked with the security problems has been
observed in the Turkish sections of the pipelines. I mean, we can say
that Turkey has sufficient experience in the energy security of
pipelines. Even Turkey can be regarded as one of the more experienced
countries throughout the world.
In the context of Article 7 of the Protocol on security of the
East-West energy corridor, which covers the said projects, Turkey,
Azerbaijan and Georgia established a joint Commission on the security
of pipelines. The first meeting of the commission was held on 14
October 2004 in Ankara with participation of representatives from the
three countries.
The gathering focused on the opportunities for development of
cooperation with respect to ensure the security of the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline.
Turkey accepts the security of the pipelines running via its
territory as an inseparable part of its energy security and
approaches the issue with more responsibility.

Question: What work does Turkey intend to do under the implementation
of the Baku-Akhalkalaki-Kars railway project?

Answer: The KATB railway project envisages the construction of a
regional railway route between Turkey and Georgia with further
connection to it of a railway network existing in Azerbaijan, which
is sure to lead to the establishment of up-to-date railway road
system connecting three countries.
The KATB project opens new opportunities for cargo deliveries
between Asia and Europe. In case of Marmara project (the construction
of a railway section under Bosporus – Trend) is connected to the east
with the expected railway-sea route between Baku and Kazakhstan
(Aktau) and onwards to China, the KATB will become a part of the
shorter railway route between Asia and Europe as compared to those
existing.
On 28 December 2004 Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan signed a
protocol on the KATB project. In compliance with the document,
technical work under the project is carried out by a joint working
group.
On 25 May 2005 the heads of three countries, who participated in a
ceremony of linefill of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan with the first oil,
signed a statement in support to the KATB project.
The Transport Ministers of Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia held
talks in Istanbul on 19 September 2005 to discuss the processes
concerning the KATB project, as well as definition of future concrete
steps in this respect. In the end of the meeting they took a
resolution on signing of an intergovernmental agreement, as well as
commencement of the work on financial provision of the project
shortly.
The feasibility work within the framework of the project, which is
being carried out by one of the Turkish companies and financed by
Turkey, is scheduled to complete in 2006.
The international tender under the KATB will be announced after the
completion of the project work.

Question: How do you estimate the development of the
Azerbaijani-Turkish cooperation under the international
organizations, in particular the Organization of Islamic Conference
(OIC), UN, and the Council of Europe?

Answer: Cooperation of Turkey with the friendly and fraternal
Azerbaijan under the OIC, like in all other spheres, is distinguished
for proximity in the positions and constructive character. Turkey
heads the list of states with more active support to Azerbaijan at
the OIC. During the chairmanship at the 31st session of the
Ministerial Board of the OIC Turkey rendered a comprehensive
assistance to Azerbaijan.
As one knows, on 19-21 June 2006 Baku will host the 33rd meeting of
the OIC ministers and Azerbaijan will undertake the
chairmanship-in-office at the organization from Yemen. Azerbaijan
will become the OIC chairman-in-office in the period of changes in
the global policy when a regional apprehensibility and expectations
of all member-countries increase. Indeed, we will boost the support
to Baku in these conditions.
We note with satisfaction the cooperation with friendly and
fraternal Azerbaijan at the UN. Turkey is a candidate to temporary
membership at the UN Security Council for 2009-2010 and the elections
will be held at the 63rd UN Assembly due in 2008. A statement on
support by friendly and fraternal Azerbaijan to the candidacy of
Turkey was welcomed by Ankara. Turkey also backed the candidacy of
Azerbaijan at the UN Commission on Human Rights in 2006-2008.
Besides, Turkey will back the candidacy of Azerbaijan to temporary
membership at the UN Security Council in 2012-2013.
The level of the Azerbaijani-Turkish cooperation within the
framework of the CE is also worth approval. As one of founders of the
CE, Turkey shares its 50-year experience with Azerbaijan, which
entered the CE in 2001. The cooperation under the CE actively
continues at the Ministerial Committee, Parliamentary Assembly, as
well as the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities. Such
cooperation provides for more efficient resistance to problems which
both countries face at the CE, as well as more successful support to
positive milestones. The PACE winter session held from 23 to 27
January 2006 hosted discussions on the mandate of Azerbaijani
parliamentary delegation can be the best model of successful
interaction.
Obviously, the cooperation benefits both countries and we wish to
enhance it.