AZERBAIJANI PARLIAMENTARIAN: AZERBAIJAN SHOULD RECONSIDER LEVEL OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH U.S.
Z. Ahmadov

Today
8483.html
Dec 24 2009
Azerbaijan

Day.Az interview with member of Azerbaijan Milli Majlis (parliament)
Jamil Hasanli.

Day.Az: The Armenian president has initiated to adopt a law that
provide for withdrawal of country’s signatures from the previously
signed international treaties. Analysts say Armenia may use this law
to withdraw from the Armenia-Turkey protocols. What consequences this
step may have?

Jamil Hasanli: I think Armenia was not ready for this agreement.

Armenia’s withdrawal from the Zurich protocols can lead to loss of
international confidence in Armenia. Nevertheless, I believe it will
result in no sanctions against Armenia. It can be concluded from the
fact that world powers which are both co-chairs of OSCE Minsk Group
back Armenia. They are delaying solution to the Karabakh conflict in
a hope that Azerbaijan will put up with the current status quo.

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov is going to trip to
Ankara soon. What can be expected from this visit? What issues will
be discussed during the meetings?

Azerbaijan and Turkey share a unified position on all international
issues, including the Karabakh conflict. So, there are no disagreements
and backroom conversations between our countries. Turkey strives to
solve Azerbaijan’s problems as their own. Therefore, I consider it
is expedient for our countries to coordinate positions and act on
international arena with one voice.

Being in Washington, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has
reiterated that Turkey’s interests are not different from those of
Azerbaijan urging the OSCE Minsk Group to step up its work towards
a speedy resolution of the Karabakh conflict under international law.

Azerbaijan has presented a note to the U.S. to protest Washington’s
financial support to breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh. Do you think the U.S.

move is a manifestation of double standards in relation to Azerbaijan?

How will Washington respond to the note from Baku?

Such a step by the United States, a co-chair the OSCE Minsk Group,
is impermissible. Support for the separatist regime in Azerbaijan’s
territory casts doubt on Washington’s involvement in the OSCE Minsk
Group. On the other hand, U.S. companies are engaged in energy projects
in Azerbaijan enjoying enormous profits.

Given these facts, this aid can not be perceived as humanitarian
support. It’s unequivocal support for separatists in Azerbaijan’s
territory.

I think that if such a policy of double standards continues, Baku
should reconsider level of strategic partnership with Washington.