Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
Dec 27 2008
Azerbaijan serious factor in definition of Ankara’s Caucasian strategy
27.12.08 11:32
Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 26 / Trend News, B.Hasanov / The global forces
define Turkey’s political priorities with respect to the Caucasus
region, however Azerbaijan plays one of the major roles in forming
local policy. `Without taking into account Azerbaijan’s policy, Turkey
cannot make serious changes in its Caucasian policy,’ Sedat Laciner,
director of International Strategic Research Centre in Turkey, said to
Trend News.
Turkey pays considerable attention to discussions with Azerbaijan on
political issues of region, Ali Babacan, the Turkish Foreign Minister,
said delivering a speech in the Parliament on Dec. 24.
Turkey is the first country, which recognized the independence of
Azerbaijan in 1991. Since then the cultural and diplomatic relations
between two states were developed in the line of ascent. Together with
the historical cultural roots, both countries, which always come out
from the united position in the international community, unite also
economic collaboration at the high level. This collaboration is
manifested also in the regional policy.
European expert Swante Cornel considers that the position of
Azerbaijan plays important role in determination of the regional
policy of Turkey. Expert says that the position of Azerbaijan plays
the decisive role for Turkey, especially in a Karabakh issue and the
Turkey- Armenia ties. `Some forces in Turkey desire the opening of
Turkish- Armenian boundary; however, the basic reason for the
non-opening of boundaries to the present day is the position of
Azerbaijan in this issue’, Cornel said to Trend News bya telephone
from Stockholm.
Turkish expert Laciner explains the influence of Azerbaijan on the
regional policy of Turkey by economic and geo-strategic factor. `Te
fact that Azerbaijan is the source of energy resources and door into
the Turkic countries of the Central Asia, made itself that necessary
calculation by Turkey for the position of Azerbaijan in the regional
policy’, Laciner said to Trend News by a telephone from Ankara.
Expert also considers the basic factor, which connects these countries
with each other, their cultured – spiritual and historical roots.
Independent Azerbaijan expert Vafa Guluzade said that Turkey in its
policy in the region acts within the framework the interests of global
forces, and its political priorities in the region are determined from
the side of these global forces. Political scientist considers that
Turkey has the independent regional policy at the local level, but
Azerbaijan plays no role even in the determination of this local
policy. `Azerbaijan in no way influences the local policy of Turkey on
the region. How can the small country Azerbaijan influence the
regional policy of Ankara? ‘, Guluzade, the former advisor of the
President on foreign policy issue, said to Trend News.
At present Turkey tries to play important role in the Caucasian
region. Making efforts in settlement of ethnic conflicts in the
Caucasus, Turkey also strengthens the diplomatic attempts to derive
the passing through the Caucasus Nabucco gas pipeline at world market
through its territory. For the realization of all these issues Turkey
collaborates with Azerbaijan, it’s the most important ally in the
region.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
