PEACE IMPOSSIBLE IN SOUTH CAUCASUS WITHOUT AZERBAIJAN: EX-CONGRESSMAN

Trend
Jan 12 2010
Azerbaijan

It is impossible to establish peace in the South Caucasus without
Azerbaijan, former U.S. Congressman Robert Wexler said. Wexler
yesterday began working as president of the Center for Middle East
Peace and Economic Cooperation.

"Azerbaijan’s point of view must be taken into account while
normalizing Turkey-Armenia relations," Wexler told Trend News.

Turkish and Armenian foreign ministers Ahmet Davutoglu and Edward
Nalbandian signed the Ankara-Yerevan protocols on normalization
bilateral relations in Zurich Oct. 10. Diplomatic relations between
Armenia and Turkey were broken in 1993.

Diplomatic relations were broken due to Armenian claims of an alleged
genocide and its occupation of Azerbaijani lands.

"The normalization of Turkey-Armenia relations must be stimulating
process for the sides," Wexler said.

Wexler said Turkey and Azerbaijan have a positive political will to
bring the dynamism to the region.

"The U.S. continues to see Turkey and Azerbaijan as its main allies
in the region," he added.

As a congressman, Wexler worked in the Committee on Foreign Affairs
of the House of Representatives from the date of his election to
Congress in 1997.

Since then, he has actively supported the close cooperation of the
U.S. with several countries, including Azerbaijan.

Wexler also served as co-chairman and founder of the Turkish faction.