RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN: WITHIN ITS POWER TURKEY GIVES EVERY SUPPORT TO AZERBAIJAN IN NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT – EXCLUSIVE

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Nov 13 2007

The most important issue for Azerbaijan and Turkey is to strengthen
and deepen relations through strategic and economic projects

Exclusive interview of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
to APA’s local bureau

– The U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs approved the bill on the
so-called Armenian genocide in October this year. As it was expected,
Turkey’s position was so severe that some democratic congressmen
withdrew their signatures from the bill. Will Turkey be committed to
this position against the legislative body of the US, Turkey’s friend
and ally for long years?

– Adoption of the draft Resolution 106, which characterizes the events
of 1915 as genocide, by the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs
on October 10 is very regretful. The adoption of this bill caused
fair protest of both our government and the people. US government’s
decisive move to prevent the House of Representatives from putting the
unjust and groundless bill on the agenda is praiseworthy. The recent
processes show that some members of the Congress, who supported the
bill, also understand our anxiety and fair arguments. In this regard,
I would like to underline that I believe the members of the Congress
will act with the responsibility of Turkish-American friendship and
that we will continue our activity for preventing the adoption of the
bill, which may damage our relations with the US. Turkey put forward
constructive proposals for revealing historical truths. We offered
Armenia to establish a joint historical commission for investigating
the events of 1915, to search the archives in Turkey, Armenia and
third countries and inform the international community about the
results. We will not forget that instead of accepting our proposal,
which we believed will establish friendship and cooperation in the
region, Armenia pursues purposeful policy, directed towards the
adoption of the bill, both behind the curtains and openly.

– The letter your wrote to Armenian president in May in 2005 and your
goodwill was not reacted analogously. The government’s program does not
touch on this issue either. Did you think of reviewing the relations
with Armenia after the decision of the House Committee on Foreign
Affairs? Armenian president and foreign minister greeted this decision.

– We proposed establishment of joint historical commission, opening
of archives, establishing condition for historians’ investigations in
these archives taking step on strengthening relations with Armenia in
2005. But Armenia did not reply to our gesture. On the contrary we saw
that Armenia supported decision of US House of Representatives Foreign
Affairs Committee. This approach does not coincide with neighborhood
policy. We are taking several steps unilaterally, but do not see its
response. Can we hope in normalizing relations in such a situation? Our
relations can not be normalized if Armenia raises issues between the
two countries in the Parliaments of the third countries.

-Withdrawal of Armenians who occupied 20% of Azerbaijani lands caused
vain of the settlement of the conflict in the framework of OSCE Minsk
Group. But Azerbaijan states that it will use all means for liberating
its lands. Is it not time for signing security cooperation between
Turkey and Azerbaijan?

-You know Turkey’s position on the occupation of Nagorno Karabakh
and 7 surrounding regions of Azerbaijan by Armenians. Turkey always
supports Azerbaijan in the framework of its capabilities. Turkey
continues to support efforts on eliminating invasion fact which is
opposed to international law norms as a member of OSCE Minsk Group.

Our support in this direction will further continue. We believe
in the necessity of solving problem peacefully and in the frame of
territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

Turkey and Azerbaijan cooperate in many fields, namely in political,
military, economic, commercial, cultural and other sectors. We
achieved development and strengthening of mutual cooperation through
mutual respect and activity. We think that our cooperation sticks to
strong legal bases. We are proud of Azerbaijan’s taking estimable
place in world and region through reforms Azerbaijan carries
out in economics, democracy and human rights, Azerbaijan’s rich
energy resources. We continue our activity for implementing railway
project Baku-Tbilisi-Kars after pipelines Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and
Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum we implemented jointly with fraternal Azerbaijan
and neighbor Georgia. The main issue is to strengthen and deepen our
relations with such strategic and economic projects.

– How do you assess significance of 11th Friendship, Brotherhood and
Cooperation Congress of Turkic States and Communities to be held in
Baku on November 17-19 with your participation?

– Role of NGOs is great in the formation of public opinion in Western
countries. Decision was made on uniting principles and purposes
of Turkish and Azerbaijani Diaspora organizations in the 1st Forum
of Turkish-Azerbaijani Diasporas I attended along with Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev held in Baku on March 9, 2007. I believe that
11th Friendship, Brotherhood and Cooperation Congress of Turkic States
and Communities to be held in Baku on November 17-19 will be right
step to be taken in this direction.