FM DAVUTOGLU ASSURES NO POLICY CHANGE OVER KARABAKH DISPUTE

Hurriyet Daily News
Oct 19 2009
Turkey

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict continues to be a top priority for
Turkish diplomacy, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu says in response
to reprehending remarks from Azerbaijan. ‘Even if the sky falls,
Turkey will not change its position,’ says Davutoglu

AA photo

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu once more affirmed that Turkey would
push for a solution to end Armenia’s occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh
after reprehending remarks came from Azerbaijan.

"Even if the sky falls, Turkey will not change its position,"
Davutoglu told reporters on Monday after his talks with Czech Foreign
Minister Jan Kohout. The comments were seen as an attempt to tone
down diplomatic rhetoric on Turkey’s part.

Turkish flags on Martyrs’ Lane in Baku were taken down last week
after Azerbaijani flags were not allowed in a World Cup qualifier
between Turkey and Armenia.

"Both Azerbaijani and Turkish flags belong to the same nation and are
deemed to hold the same degree of importance for Turkish officials
as well as 72 million citizens," Davutoglu said.

"Our flag, which the shadows of our martyrs rest under, has been
entrusted to Azerbaijan’s greatness and honor. I hope they will act
in accordance with this. I was told that the flags were taken down
due to restoration and would be hung again soon."

Stressing that the Karabakh conflict is at the top of the diplomatic
agenda, he said President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan recently highlighted the Karabakh dispute in the scope of U.N.

talks, as well as meetings with the U.S. administration.

"There is no doubt that our Azerbaijani brothers will give the best
response to those sowing discord. For all they may say, Turkey will
continue its efforts until a solution is reached. There is no change
in policy or attitude," he said.

Azerbaijani President Ä°lham Aliyev was also cited over the weekend as
saying, "no more cheap gas to Turkey," adding that they were looking
for alternative gas transportation routes bypassing Turkey. Asked to
comment on Aliyev’s remarks, Davutoglu said: "The negotiations were
underway between the Nabucco consortium and Azerbaijani officials. The
Caspian- Anatolia transport route is strategically important for all
of us."

Confirming that the reconciliation protocols will be submitted to
Parliament on Oct. 21, Davutoglu said, however, "Submission and
ratification are two different things."

Surrender of PKK members

Upon questions regarding a group of outlawed Kurdistan Workers’
Party, or PKK, members who left northern Iraq to surrender to
Turkish officers, Davutoglu said: "The Turkey-Iraq border will be
safe hereafter. I hope that these developments are striking signals
of that." He said counter-terrorism efforts continue in all fields and
the democratic move and the 48 agreements, recently signed with Iraq,
are parts of the same process.

Czech Republic to back Turkey’s EU bid against Cyprus obstacle

Davutoglu asked his visiting Czech counterpart Jan Kohout to back
Turkey’s European Union membership bid, which may come to a deadlock
because of Cyprus.

"I appreciate that the Czech Republic has principally supported
Turkey’s EU membership. We’re entering a new period in which we will
feel more need for this support," Davutoglu said at a joint press
conference with Kohout.

No settlement has yet been reached in Cyprus reunification talks,
Davutoglu said. "While the Greek side is prolonging the talks,
Turkey-EU relations come under risk. We’ve asked him to back us
against such a danger."

Kohout confirmed his country’s support for Turkish membership, saying,
"It has strategic importance for both Turkey and the EU."

Kohout and Davutoglu expressed their satisfaction for a strategic
bilateral partnership between Turkey and the Czech Republic to boost
economic, cultural and political relations as well as cooperation at
the international stage.

Asked if Czech President Vaclav Klaus is against the Lisbon Treaty,
which envisages new members to the union, contrary to the government’s
support for Turkey’s bid, Kohout said: "Mr. President is not legally
in a position to sign the treaty or finalize the ratification. The
Constitutional Court will approve it at a hearing scheduled on
Oct. 27."