RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN: THE PROTOCOLS WITH ARMENIA WERE SIGNED UNCONDITIONALLY, BUT IN ORDER TO PASS SOMETHING IN TURKISH PARLIAMENT ANY ISSUE MUST BE UNDER CONDITIONS

APA
08 Dec 2009 11:47

"I told Barack Obama that reaching the Turkish-Armenian normalization
is difficult without solving the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh"

Washington. Isabel Levine – APA. Turkey’s Prime-Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan met with US President Barak Obama in Washington DC. According
to APA’s Washington DC correspondent, the meeting between Obama
and Erdogan took longer than it was planned. A number of Turkish
ministers including foreign affairs minister Davudoglu participated
in the negotiations process. According to APA’s Washington DC
correspondent, Erdogan noticed after his meeting with Obama,
that he was trying to convince US administration that reaching
the Turkish-Armenian normalization is difficult without solving
the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. Erdogan told APA correspondent,
that during his meeting with Obama, he explained him the Caucasus
model: "I explained him, that in order to reach a long-term peace
in this region, one has to solve all the unresolved issues, all the
conflicts. And if the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh is not solved,
then there is no opportunity for this long-term peace".

Erdogan says that just some years before Turkey itself was in the
middle of conflicts, while now Turkey is a great supporter of peace
in the world.

At a press-conference after the meeting with Obama Turkish
prime-minister spoke about Turkey-Armenian rapprochement. An
Armenian journalist told him, that Turkey is not keeping its word
about the Turkey-Armenian normalization. Erdogan answered that when
the protocols were signed, there wasn’t any condition, but in order
to pass something in Turkish parliament any issue must be under
conditions. Such a condition is probably Nagorno-Karabakh, as Turkish
parliament is very sensitive for this issue.

Answering on APA’s correspondent’s question, what would be the future
of the normalization protocols, if they reach Turkish parliament,
Erdogan said that neither he, or anyone else of the government can
dictate the parliament – this is an independent body: "But I can
suppose that Nagorno-Karabakh is a very sensitive issue for our
parliament".

During his visit to Washington DC, Erdogan also discussed NABUCO,
Cyprus, Iran’s nuclear program, and Israel-Palestine conflict, Iraq,
NATO and Afghanistan.

Speaking of Iran’s nuclear problem, Erdogan stated that Turkey is
ready to be a mediator between USA and Iran. He also said all the
countries should abandon nuclear weapons.

He also mentioned Turkey isn’t currently planning to increase
the number of its forces in Afghanistan, but however is ready to
participate in other operations.

During his visit to US prime-minister also addressed with a speech at
Turkish organization SETA. Azerbaijani ambassador to US participated
in one of the events organized by Turkish delegation.