Today, Azerbaijan
April 9 2010
Ukrainian analyst: Compromise in a sensitive matter like so-called
"Armenian genocide" is unacceptable for Turkey
09 April 2010 [19:43] – Today.Az
Day.Az interview with well-known Ukrainian political analyst Sergey Taran.
Turkey recalled its ambassador to the United States as soon as the
U.S. Congress committee adopted a resolution recognizing the so-called
`Armenian genocide.’ However, after relatively short time, Turkish
ambassador returned to the U.S. and Turkish PM Erdogan will soon trip
to Washington to attend the nuclear safety summit. What is your
assessment of the current situation? Does it mean that the crisis in
the Turkey-U.S. relations is in the past?
Let’s start with the fact that Turkey is now playing the role of
strategically very important player, claiming to be a regional leader.
Therefore, all its policies are aimed at demonstrating this leadership
and the ability to make significant, independent decisions concerning
the situation in the region. This applies, for example, Turkey’s
position on the Iranian issue. In the meantime, Turkey also holds
political debates with other strategically important players in the
region. The United States is one of these players.
Disputed issues may emerge during these consultations just like the
"Armenian genocide." It is unacceptable for Turkey, which claims to
regional leadership, to make a compromise in so important and
sensitive issue. The United States leadership also understands this
and therefore it is not going to deteriorate relations with Turkey,
its strategic partner.
In general, both sides are aware of importance of Turkish-American
cooperation and willingness to resolve the crisis in their
relationship, caused by the resolution adopted by the U.S. Congress
Committee on Foreign Relations.
In your opinion, in what way unresolved Nagorno-Karabakh conflict may
hinder Turkey’s claims to regional leadership?
Precisely Turkey’s claims to regional leadership explain its position
on the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. As is known,
the Turkish-Armenian border was closed due to Armenia’s occupation of
Azerbaijani territories.
Therefore, it is logical to expect that the Turkish-Armenian border
may open once the Azerbaijan’s territories are liberated. Displaying
weakness in this matter and ignoring Azerbaijan’s interests may
deprive Turkey of its claims to geo-political leadership in the
region.
In your opinion, what is the architecture of the process of resolving
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?
In my opinion, the architecture of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
resolution is that there is some common understanding and consent of
the United States, Turkey and Yerevan and Baku to the fact that
Nagorno Karabakh is de jure a part of Azerbaijan but may have a very
broad autonomous status.
May Armenia accept such resolution of the conflict?
I do not think that the leading geopolitical players in the region are
set to repartition of territories. It is very risky. The main point is
not the position of Armenia or Azerbaijan, but understanding of key
regional players of importance of geopolitical stability in the region
which cannot be ensured without resolution to Armenian-Azerbaijani
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. This factor, in my opinion, is the most
important in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
And when may the scenario of resolving Nagorno-Karabakh conflict you
said above happen?
Of course, it is extremely difficult to give an exact answer to this
question. But, in my opinion, we can expect the Armenian-Azerbaijani
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to be settled in the coming years.
/Day.Az/
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