AZERBAIJANI POLITICIANS AND POLITICAL ANALYSTS SAY ERDOGAN’S STATEMENTS IN BAKU PUT AN END TO THE DOUBTS – POLL

APA
May 14 2009
Azerbaijan

Baku. Elnur Mammadli – APA. "We are satisfied with the results of
the visit of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Baku
and consider that there should be atmosphere of dialogue between
the countries, compromise should be found, joints steps taken in the
international arena," chairman of Azerbaijan Popular Front Party Ali
Karimli told APA. He considers that if there are disputable issues
in future, heads of states and governments should immediately start
dialogue.

"There have recently been unpleasant moments between Azerbaijan and
Turkey. Mutual accusation campaign was observed both in Azerbaijani
and Turkish media. So there was a need for such a visit and Erdogan’s
visit could stop this campaign. The importance of the visit was in
Erdogan’s messages in Baku. Turkish Prime Minister made statements
that would relieve tension of the government, opposition and public
circles. He stated openly that the borders with Armenia will not open,
until the occupation of Karabakh ends," he said.

Deputy executive secretary of New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) Mubariz
Gurbanli considers that Erdogan’s visit has completely eliminated
the difficulties between the countries.

"Even though there was an intention to open the borders between
Armenia and Turkey, this visit crossed out that intention. That’s
why there was a need for this visit. The issues should have been
discussed on the level of the heads of states, and it happened during
the visit. Nuances that might damage our relations with Turkey have
been eliminated," he said.

Chairman of Azerbaijan Democratic Party Sardar Jalaloglu told APA
that there had recently been dangerous tendency between Azerbaijan
and Turkey, Turkish Prime Minister’s visit eliminated that tendency.

"On the other hand, it was a message to the world.

Some forces were satisfied with the cooling of Azerbaijan-Turkish
relations, but this visit was a message to those forces that it is
not easy to break the Azerbaijan-Turkey relations. Some issues became
clear. It was realized that if two strategic partners don’t inform
each other about their actions in foreign policy it can lead to
the harmful results. They have not to take such actions and have to
coordinate their positions of foreign policy. I consider it positive
to follow the chosen strategic course".

Chairman of Musavat Party’s Mejlis Sulheddin Akber also told APA
that Erdogan’s visit was significant. He said there was need in such
visit from the view of bilateral relations and regional situation,
as well as lifting of serious concerns among the Azerbaijani society
over the Turkey-Armenia talks. "I think that Turkey partly achieved
its goal in this visit and lifted the Azerbaijan’s concerns over the
negotiations held with Armenia". Akber said however there was need
in the discussions of some points.

Political analyst Zardusht Alizadeh considers that there was need
insuch visit because of Azerbaijan’s concern over the opening of
borders. "This visit showed that Turkey makes possible actions
toward the settlement of Nagorny Karabakh conflict. Erdogan’s visit
proved that Turkey didn’t step back from its position on the Nagorny
Karabakh issue".

MP Aydin Mirzazadeh said Azerbaijan and Turkey were friendly and
brotherly countries, they shared the grief and happiness of each other.

"I highly appreciate the visit of Turkish Prime Ministers. The
relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan were reviewed, political and
economic issues were discussed. A number of questions of Azerbaijani
society about the improvement of Turkey-Armenia relations found
answers. Erdogan’s meeting with Azerbaijani President, his statements
at the press conference, speech in the parliament showed that Turkey
would never sacrifice Azerbaijan’s interests to any short-term
interests. His open sincere speech satisfied all parliamentarians and
Azerbaijani society. This visit showed once more that it is impossible
to stir up enmity between the two peoples, two states, these two
countries will continue to solve their problems together," he said.