LAWRENCE SHEETS: "TURKEY’S EFFORTS TO PLAY THE ROLE OF A STATE HAVING LEVERS OF INFLUENCE ON THE REGION ARE NOT SURPRISING"
Azeri Press Agency
Sept 11 2008
Azerbaijan
Baku. Tamara Grigoryeva – APA. "It is early to say how Turkey’s
involvement in the format of negotiations within the framework of OSCE
Minsk Group will influence the settlement of the conflict," Lawrence
Sheets, International Crisis Group Caucasus Project Director told APA.
He said improvement in the relations of Turkey and Armenia, Turkish
President’s visit to Yerevan were important steps, but it was still
early to fully assess the events.
"One should not be surprised at Turkey’s efforts to play the role
of a state having levers of influence on the region. It is not a
surprise. Turkey is the member of NATO and this state wants to play
influential role like Russia, US and other countries. I want to mention
that Turkey had before stated they wanted to have positive influence
on the negotiations on the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict,"
he said.