TURKISH PREMIER TO DISCUSS PLATFORM OF STABILITY AND COOPERATION IN CAUCASUS IN BAKU
Araz Alasgarov
Trend News Agency
Aug 19 2008
Azerbaijan
Ankara’s first diplomatic initiative, which was later described as
a stability and cooperation platform in Caucasus was for the first
time announced by the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
immediately after the military actions in Georgia started.
Delivering a speech before the Turkish media in Bodrum, Erdogan
characterized the war in South Ossetia as "inspiring serious
concern". Premier called on the sides to come to truce and use
diplomatic means. "We would like the sides to come to truce from the
early start of the conflict. We supported the sides continuing talks
through the diplomatic ways," Erdogan said.
Touching upon the possible ways to resolve the conflict in Georgia,
Erdogan suggested establishing of ‘Caucasian alliance’ to stabilize
the situation. The alliance may unite the South Caucasian countries,
as well as European countries, the United States and the Russian
Federation.
Clarifying initiative’s core, Erdogan said that "we may start
working to establish ‘Caucasian alliance’, like it had happened in
Balkans. Turkey can assume this initiative. Turkey can implement this
initiative through other countries’ support, as well as considering
issues by the UN. If we will take joint steps with the United States
and EU countries, we will be able to create a favorable ground to
reach a peace in the region. Undoubtedly, the Russian Federation
should also be represented in such alliance".
Erdogan canceled his leave and paid an unexpected visit to Moscow
after Russia and Georgia had reached the truce. In Moscow, Erdogan met
with the Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, as well as Russian Prime
Minister Vladimir Putin. Ali Babacan, Foreign Minister, accompanied
Erdogan during his visit to Moscow. Babacan met with the Russian
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Besides the bilateral relations,
the sides touched upon the current situation in Georgia, the Turkish
Turkey newspaper reported.
Ankara suggested establishing a special mechanism to provide security
and cooperation in the South Caucasus in emergency situations. Both
ministers will start working in this direction.
At the end of his visit to Moscow the Turkish Premier said that
Russia approved his proposal to establish platform of stability and
cooperation in Caucasus. Erdogan said: "We came to understanding
targeted at future – joint work within the Platform of Stability and
Cooperation in Caucasus".
He said that the Organization of Black Sea Economic Cooperation may
also be involved in this work. "Our trade turnover is at a good state
and Russia is our first partner and therefore we are determined to
achieve more progress," the Turkish Premier said.
After his meetings in Moscow, the Turkish Premier left for Tbilisi
where he met with the president Mikhail Saakashvili. The Turkish
media reported that, as a matter of principle, the Georgian leader
gave consent to the above-mentioned project by Ankara.
The Turkish political commentator Yasemin Congar believes that the
Turkish Premier Erdogan also plans to discuss Platform of Peace and
Cooperation in Caucasus during one-day visit in Baku on 20 August. He
hopes to gain support of the Azerbaijani government and to begin
talks with the missing link of the "Caucasian alliance" to normalize
relations with Yerevan.
It is said that there are favorable international conditions with this
regard. The visit of President Abdullah Gul to Armenia, who has been
invited to the football match between teams of Turkey and Armenia,
will be used to normalize these relation on high level. The temporary
cancellation of visas for the Turkish citizens willing to watch this
football match is a positive factor for Turkey.
As to the significance attached to Yerevan in the project, Erdogan
said: "The Caucasus plan will not develop without Armenia". Yasemin
Congar describes this statement as determination of Ankara to eliminate
factor of Azerbaijan in its mutual relations with Yerevan.
The theme of the diplomatic efforts by Ankara so that both Baku and
Yerevan will give consent to take part in this project is touched
upon in the article entitled Armenia Should Also Take Part in the
Union published recently by Yeni Shafaq paper close to the ruling
party. The article says that the acceptance of Platform of Stability
and Cooperation in Caucasus by Azerbaijan and Armenia will enable to
contribute to the "development of economic cooperation and energy
security between the states while observing stability and peace in
the region".
It is also mentioned that the project will contribute to the solution
of problems not only between Russia and Georgia, but also to that of
Karabakh conflict.