Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
October 27, 2006 Friday

TURKEY WANTS TO GAIN A STRONG FOOTHOLD IN THE CAUCASUS;
The vice president of the parliamentary assembly of NATO thinks that
issue of the Gabalinskaya radar station may be raised when
development of Azerbaijan with NATO are developed

by Dzhasur Mamedov

CHAIR OF TURKISH DELEGATION TO THE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY OF NATO
VAHID ERDEM SPEAKS ABOUT MILITARY COOPERATION WITH AZERBAIJAN;
Interview of Vahid Erdem, chair of Turkish delegation to the
parliamentary assembly of NATO.

Question: There is no agreement on military and strategic alliance
between Azerbaijan and Turkey now. What do you think is the reason
for this?

Erdem: Turkey and Azerbaijan are natural strategic allies. I believe
that very soon this fact will be reflected in a certain agreement.

Question: Which place in the military policy of Turkey is assigned to
Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia?

Erdem: Relations of the West and Turkey with Azerbaijan and Georgia
are developing in a very positive aspect. Oil and gas reserves gain
additional strategic positions for Azerbaijan. Integration of both
countries into Euro-Atlantic structures has huge importance for
security and social and economic development of the South Caucasus.
It would be possible only to welcome development of similar processes
in Armenia. However, occupation of a territory of Azerbaijan by this
country and hostile attitude to Turkey hinder development of their
relations.

Question: It is known that on the territory of Azerbaijan there is a
military object of Russia, namely the Gabalinskaya radar station. To
which extent do you think existence of such an object hinders
integration of Azerbaijan into NATO?

Erdem: In the framework of Partnership for Peace agreement NATO also
has relations with Russia. Russia withdraws its bases from Georgia. I
think that at the current stage the Gabalinskaya radar station is not
an obstacle for development of relations between NATO and Azerbaijan.
When Azerbaijan gets integrated into NATO it may put this issue on
the agenda.

Question: Which assistance can Turkey provide to Azerbaijan if it
starts combat operations for the purpose of liberation of its land?

Erdem: I hope that there will be no need for combat operations for
liberation of occupied territories. Armenia is in isolation now.
Yerevan has good relations only with Iran and Russia. Openness of
Armenia to the West and its social and economic development will be
possible after normalization of relations with Turkey. Turkey is
prepared to provide comprehensive support to fraternal Azerbaijan for
removal of the occupation.

Question: Quite recently, Azerbaijan established Ministry of Defense
Industry. What do you think can cooperation of the two countries in
the defense sector be like?

Erdem: Turkey is developing defense industry establishing joint
ventures and consortiums in cooperation with the US and European
countries. Getting integrated into Europe Azerbaijan can pass this
path together with Turkey. In the future it will be able to establish
joint ventures with Turkey.

Source: Voenno-Promyshlenny Kuryer, No, 40, October 18-24, 2006, p. 3