ALIYEV: BAKU WILL ALIGN POLICY TO REGION’S NEW REALITIES
Today’s Zaman
April 30 2009
Turkey
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has said Azerbaijan will adapt its
policy to the new realities of the region that will be established as a
result of the ongoing normalization efforts between Turkey and Armenia.
Aliyev met with European Commission President José Manuel
Barroso on Tuesday in Brussels, after which the two held a joint
press conference. Aliyev also gave a speech in a conference titled
"Azerbaijan: An increasingly important partner for the European Union,"
organized by the European Policy Centre (EPC), a Brussels-based
think tank.
Asked about his country’s position regarding the Turkish-Armenian
rapprochement, he indicated that it was up to Turkey and Armenia to
decide on their bilateral relations but that Azerbaijan will adapt
its policy according to the changing realities of the region, with
particular reference to the possible border opening. "If I am to talk
about the issue’s historical roots, the Turkish border with Armenia was
closed because of the Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani territories,
which is still continuing," he said, reiterating that Azerbaijan is
not in a position to prevent bilateral relations between the two but
that they do have the right to align their steps to a potential future
situation in the region.
Aliyev also pointed out his expectations for a clear answer if the
settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh crisis is linked to the agreement
between Armenia and Turkey. "We are hearing contradictory statements
about whether the resolution of the regional crisis is a precondition
in the ongoing process between Armenia and Turkey. It is indeed a
simple question and requires a simple answer," said Aliyev. Armenia
and Turkey earlier announced that they had agreed on a road map to
normalize their relations.
Barroso stated that he understands how sensitive the issue is for
Azerbaijan. "But you should also understand that the European Union
will be happy with any reduction in tension," he noted, adding that
this does not mean that Azerbaijan doesn’t want the Nagorno-Karabakh
crisis to be resolved. "We also urge Azerbaijan and Armenia to look
for a solution and hope their efforts deliver one," he concluded.
‘Gas price needs to be recalculated’ In his speech at the EPC,
Aliyev said the price of natural gas from the Caspian Sea that Turkey
buys from Azerbaijan, which is transported through the Å~^ahdeniz
pipeline, needs to be recalculated according to the market price and
the provisions of the agreement between the two.
Reminded of the speculation that Azerbaijan will increase natural
gas prices for Turkey because of the talks the country is holding
with Armenia, Aliyev said the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan
Republic (SOCAR) is not the only company involved in the Å~^ahdeniz
project. "The validity of the ceiling price for 1,000 cubic meters
of natural gas [$120] expired in April 2008, so the price needs to
be recalculated, but it is hard to tell if it will be a higher or
lower price. Petroleum prices are diminishing so natural gas may be
cheaper, too, but it has to be the market price," the Azerbaijani
president explained.
Aliyev highlighted that Turkey was buying natural gas from
Russia and Algeria for a much higher price than it was paying to
Azerbaijan. "Those who follow it know very well that Turkey has bought
natural gas from Russia for $400-500 and from Algeria for $300 and
more. When we were selling it for $120, the market price was about
$400-500. You can now calculate how much loss we bore last year,"
stated Aliyev. He added that everything needs to be done in line with
the agreements signed.