Trend, Azerbaijan
Jan 9 2010
Turkish prime minister’s discussing Karabakh issue in Russia to
positively affect solution of problem: deputy executive secretary of
Azerbaijan’s ruling party
08.01.2010 21:57
Azerbaijan, Baku, January 8 / Trend News, A.Huseynbala /
Including the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in the agenda of the meetings
of the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan with the leaders of
Russia can positively affect the solution of this problem, deputy
executive secretary of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) said.
"Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Moscow is
aimed at addressing several issues in the Russia-Turkey relations. As
known, over recent years, bilateral relations between the two
countries have been developing intensively. The common interests of
Russia and Turkey are recorded in several economic projects. These
countries implement energy projects," deputy executive secretary, MP
Mubariz Gurbanli told the website of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party
(NAP) on Jan. 8.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. – are
currently holding the peace negotiations.
Turkish and Armenian foreign ministers Ahmet Davutoglu and Edward
Nalbandian signed the Ankara-Yerevan protocols in Zurich on Oct. 10.
Diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey have been broken due
to Armenia’s claims of an alleged genocide, and its occupation of
Azerbaijani lands. The border between them has been broken since 1993.
In addition to the so-called "Armenian genocide" in 1915, Armenia has
voiced territorial claims on Turkish Anatolia.
According to Gurbanli, who remembered the existence of problems
between Turkey and Russia during the U.S. period, now the relations
between the two countries are developing in a positive direction. "The
rapprochement between the two countries, strengthening of economic and
political relations ultimately has a positive impact on the solution
of problems in the South Caucasus," said deputy executive secretary.
Referring to the Turkish press, Gurbanli said that during the visit,
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict question will also be on the agenda of
negotiations. "It is not accidental, since Turkey has initiated
various projects, including Platform of peace and stability in
Caucasus, in order to restore peace and stability in the South
Caucasus. In August 2008, during Russian-Georgian war, Turkey was one
of the most active countries, making many efforts to restore peace in
the region," said the spokesman of the ruling party.
He said that including the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in the agenda of
Erdogan’s meetings with the leaders of Russia can positively affect
the solution of this problem. "Russia is a co-chairman of OSCE Minsk
Group, and Turkey is a member of the Minsk Group, and a big state.
Russia has enough possibilities to influence Armenia. The question of
opening border between Turkey and Armenia is also in Russia’s
interest. Because opening the border would "give breath" to Armenia,
which is under a difficult economic situation," he said.
According to Gurbanli, despite all these, Turkey’s position is clear.
"Without solution of the Karabakh issue, borders will not be opened.
>From this point of view, I think that comprehensive discussions over
several issues during the forthcoming visit will bring positive
results," said deputy executive secretary.
NAP was founded in 1992 by Nationwide Leader Heydar Aliyev when he was
Chairman of Supreme Assembly of Nakhchivan. Now the ruling 16 years
organization is chaired by President Ilham Aliyev.