AZERBAIJAN CAN USE ERDOGAN’S US VISIT TO DRAW ATTENTION TO KARABAKH PROBLEM

News.az
Tue 15 December 2009 | 12:56 GMT

Fazil Qazanfaroghlu News.Az interviews Fazil Qazanfaroghlu,
Azerbaijani parliament deputy and member of the Azerbaijan-Turkey
interparliamentary group of friendship.

How do you evaluate the visit of Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan
to the United States considering the fact that Karabakh was among
the priority issues discussed during it?

The visit was held as expected. It was the first time when the
Turkish premier openly raised the problem of Azerbaijan before the US
presidentt expressing Ankara’s position. It was an extremely important
step that met Azerbaijan’s interests. I think Turkey should assist
Azerbaijan in developing this process so that this topic is discussed
in the international arena especially before the superpowers. In any
case, this can be considered a positive event in terms of voicing
Azerbaijan’s problem and attracting attention to it.

How do you think this visit will affect the process of the conflict
settlement?

It is impossible to speak of any benefit because much work is to be
done in the region for the settlement of the Karabakh conflict and
serious decisions should be taken on the international level. Anyway,
this is a very positive fact that such a country as Turkey has
expressed its principal position on this problem and demonstrated the
importance it attached to this issue. But the problem settlement is
not so close and it would be incorrect to speak of the benefit of a
single meeting.

The steps to normalize Turkish-Armenian relations have caused definite
tensions in the Azerbaijani-Turkish relations. Has it affected the
current relations between Baku and Ankara?

Certainly, it has. These were undesirable events. But I think these
misunderstandings are left behind. I think it would be more useful
for our countries to join efforts by putting our common interests
and security issues to the foreground and understanding our need for
each other.

The Turkish-Armenian protocols on normalization have been signed but
not ratified. Ankara promises us not to ratify the protocols without
a progress in the Karabakh settlement. Can we trust Ankara?

At least Turkey has so far managed to abstain from their ratification.

Turkey noted that the signing of these protocols is rather a tactical
step and this statement has already been proven. The further steps of
Turkey will clarify this issue. But so far Turkey can be considered
a country that keeps its promise.

In other words, is it possible to say that the problem in the
Azerbaijani-Turkish relations has been settled?

It is closed so far. And I hope this state will last till the end.

Turkey’s position is that it will not ratify protocols with Armenia
unless it receives guarantees of progress in the Karabakh process. I
think Turkey must continue insisting on its principle position. This
position will finally persuade the United States and other countries
about the inadmissibility to support aggression. The main obstacle
here is the issue of occupation and after joining efforts to overcome
this occupation Turkey will be able to show its readiness to go to
compromises like it did in signing these protocols. But other parties
should also take actions for Turkey not to be in a difficult situation.