"Transmission of Azerbaijani gas to Russia can be used in the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict "
Azeri Press Agency
04 Jul 2008
Azerbaijan
Gudrat Hasanguliyev: "Successors of Ataturk will win struggle in
Turkey"
Baku. Ramil Mammadli-APA. MP Gudrat Hasanguliyev, Chairman of the
United Azerbaijan Popular Front Party gives an interview to APA
-How do you evaluate Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s visit to
Azerbaijan?
The visit is of great importance in terms of policy. Importance of
the visit will apparently be seen if we take into consideration of
Russia’s role in the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict.
We should try to make Russia recognize Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity by taking proper measures, not words. We should also try to
make Russia attach particular importance to neighborly relations with
Azerbaijan. Neither the US nor EU has not taken concrete measures to
ensure Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity during 16 years. Russia
voted against Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity in UN General
Assembly. Azerbaijan can carry out energy projects in the region
according to the interests of Russia to restore the territorial
integrity of the country. Azerbaijan can use transmission of its
gas to Russia in the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The
Government of Azerbaijan should increase its efforts on it. Russian
proper forces know that prolonging settlement of the conflict has
not positive influence on their interests.
-Does transmission of Azerbaijani gas to Russia cause irritation of
the West?
Certainly, it will have not positive influence on the West. Azerbaijan
has played a great role in European energy security and establishment
of alternative energy corridor. Neither the US nor EU does not differ
from Russia on their positions in the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh
conflict. These countries have not right to protest Azerbaijan. EU
has pursued double police against Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan can reach
an agreement with Russia on this issue on the behalf of the state
interests. Russia should undertake an engagement to ensure Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity. These factors should be reflected in terms
of contract.
-What issues do the arrests of well-known persons and high-ranking
military officers in Turkey predict?
-The rise of religious forces to power is a threat for any
country. Let’s take into consideration that the society got behind when
Islam was used for the political goals. In fact the last developments
in Turkey are the struggle of those, who try to unite the religion and
politics and supporters of the secular state. I think supporters of
Ataturk ideas will win in this struggle. Era of the religious state
didn’t justify itself and it is passed phase for Turkey. Turkey will
continue its development in legal and democratic state-building.
-In one of the statements you said that you were negotiating with the
opposition parties the issue of single candidate in the elections. Are
you satisfied with the results of the negotiations?
-Discussions are going in this direction. We concluded the discussions
with several parties. Those parties promised to announce their
decisions on the eve of the election campaign.
-Did you solve the problem of headquarter?
-The headquarter problem was almost solved. We addressed President
Ilham Aliyev on this issue and then the issue was attentively reviewed
and on the same day the term of contract was prolonged.