Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Sept 6 2008

Department head of President’s Office: `Turkish President’s visit to
Armenia is not the one to be forgotten tomorrow’

[ 06 Sep 2008 15:00 ]

Novruz Mammadov: `We will see everything in a month or two. Maybe,
those criticizing this visit will repent for its
consequences. Theoretically, it is also possible’

Baku. Elnur Mammadli ` APA. `Turkey is our friend, brother and
partner. Our interests coincide almost in all issues,’ Head of
International Relations Department of the President’s Office Novruz
Mammadov said in his interview to APA, while commenting on Turkish
President Abdullah Gul’s visit to Armenia. He said Azerbaijan and
Turkey were strategic allies. Saying that this alliance has deep
roots, the department head considers this cooperation will last long.

`Turkish state, its leaders have the right to make independent
decisions in all issues. We cannot take a stance on it. Azerbaijani
and Turkish media publish various views. But I think it is not right
to express resolute, radical and concrete position. This is a delicate
step. We should wait. Turkish President’s visit to Armenia is not the
one to be forgotten tomorrow. Nobody knows now what the position of
Turkey and Armenia was, what they talked about, whether steps were
taken forward or backward. All we can do now is to wait for the
results. This is a tactical step. I think Azerbaijan and Turkey have
common strategic target, it continues and will continue. No doubt,
during this visit Turkish President will also have concrete position
in the issue on Azerbaijan. I cannot say how the results will be’, he
said.

Asked about the influence of Abdullah Gul’s visit on Azerbaijan-Turkey
relations, Novruz Mammadov said it was right to link the relations
between the countries to this visit. He said the relations between
Azerbaijan and Turkey had been determined by the heads of the states
and that course was unchangeable.

`Perhaps, some give themselves up to the feelings and express their
opinion on the issue. Generally, state leader’s visit to a country is
considered as an end of a period in diplomatic ties, and the beginning
of new relations. Such questions arise since it is an extraordinary
step by the Turkish leader. This is the case I am mostly concerned
over. Armenian authorities are in a difficult situation now and when
they are in such situation they do not usually follow any ethics. They
can take any step in this condition. However, it does not mean they
will stick on this principle forever. Today, Iran is the main
guarantor of Armenia. They should be expected any maneuver, hypocrisy
because they are in a very difficult situation indeed’, he said.

As for the talks that Gul’s visit favors Iran more than Turkey,
Mammadov stated that it might be so.

`But Armenia is not given what it needs. This visit does not mean
Turkey will open the borders with Armenia. The parties will probably
discuss problems between them during the visit. It is possible to
express opinion on the visit when the discussions are announced in
details. Our position on the issue is that Turkey has made the
decision and we approve it’, he said.

Mammadov noted that he could not say whether Gul’s visit was initially
agreed with Azerbaijan.

`There is no need for such an agreement. Turkey is an independent
country, so it can take any step although we are in friendly
relations. Azerbaijani and Turkish communities are deeply concerned in
formal side of the issue and try to come to a logical
conclusion. There is no need to make such hasty decisions in
policy. We will see everything in a month or two. Maybe, those
criticizing this visit will repent for its
consequences. Theoretically, it is also possible’, he added.