TURKISH PARLIAMENTARIANS VISITING US: THE BORDERS WITH ARMENIA CAN BE OPENED AFTER NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT IS SOLVED
APA
March 6 2009
Azerbaijan
Washington. Zaur Hasanov – APA. Members of Turkish parliament Shukru
Elekdag (CHP), Murat Merjan (AKP), Nursuna Memejan (AKP) and Mithat
Melen (MHP) met with experts on Turkey and journalists in the Center
for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, APA’s
US bureau reports. CSIS director for Turkey Bulent Alirza chaired
the discussions.
The discussions focused on the issues causing tension between the
two countries.
Chairman of Turkish parliament’s foreign affairs committee Murat
Merjan said during Obama’s presidency the U.S. policy aimed at
holding dialogue, not creating tension. The parliamentarian said
Turkey pursued multiple-vector foreign policy after the collapse
of the Soviet Union and noted that it was connected with four big
conflicts around the country. He said the philosophy of Turkey’s
foreign policy consisted of "zero problem" item, integrating into
Europe and using its political influence.
"This political influence was seen in the Balkans, Syria and in the
recent war between Georgia and Russia. Turkey is a pro-western country
and bears responsibility for the ongoing processes in the region,"
he said.
Touching on the country’s policy with regard to Armenia, the
parliamentarian said their aim was not only to establish relations
with official Yerevan, but also to serve establishment of peace in
the Caucasus.
Parliamentarian from CHP Shukru Elekdag Turkey was concerned over the
so-called Armenian genocide, PKK terrorist organization in the north
of Iraq and Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Former Turkish ambassador to
the U.S. said: "The borders with Armenia should not be opened".
He said it can be done after Nagorno Karabakh conflict is solved.
MP touching upon PKK issue stated that they were supported by the
Republic of North Iraq and noted that Barack Obama would not recognize
developments in 1915 as genocide during his traditional message on
April 24, 2009. Elekdag stated that relations between Israel and
Turkey on military, economy, and tourism were at high level and both
of countries are strategic partners.
MP Mithat Melen from MHP touching upon developments in 1915 said that
the problems is not linked with Armenia, but Armenian Diaspora. The
poor Armenia is not interested in adoption of resolution by the US
on so-called genocide. He mentioned that 80.000 Armenians worked
in Istanbul. Melen noted that we should not forget the interests of
Azerbaijan on Nagorno Karabakh conflict while establishing business
relations with Armenia. He added that Turkey needed the energy
resources transmitted via Azerbaijan and business done with North
Iraq. To him, if there are not business relations, there wil not the
development of the region.
After the assembly Shukru Elekdag gave an interview to APA U.S bureau
and commented on restoration of Armenia-Turkey relations.
"Turkey should not open the border with Armenia without solution
to Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Turkey can loose Azerbaijan in such
kind of situation. What will be the fate of the word" one nation,
two states"? How early have we forgotten it? We are not against
the restoration of the relations with Armenia. We should do it
after solution to the conflict. If the borders open, we will leave
Azerbaijan alone and the power of Azerbaijan will decrease in
negotiation process," he said.
Elekdag commented on the fact that three subjects – Nagorno Karabakh
conflict, so-called Armenian genocide, opening of borders with Armenia
were debated during Turkey-Armenia negotiations.
"If these three issues are solved at the same time, there will not
be any problem. The borders between the two countries will not open
in 2009," he said.