AZERBAIJAN ‘REGRETS’ ISRAEL-TURKEY TENSION
news.az
Sept 16 2011
Azerbaijan
News.Az interviews Aydin Mirzazade, an MP for the ruling New Azerbaijan
Party and member of the Azerbaijan-Israel parliamentary working group.
Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman is said to have come up
with a plan against Turkey which includes two main points: support
for the Armenians and the Kurds in their confrontation with the Turks.
What impact may this plan have on Azerbaijan-Israel relations?
The deteriorating relations between Turkey and Israel, major and
influential countries in the region, in recent years have been one
of the pressing issues on the international agenda. Both states have
a large impact on world politics, and shape the regional situation.
Azerbaijan has friendly and fraternal relations with Turkey and
bilateral relations with Israel.
In this regard, Azerbaijan regrets the tensions between Turkey and
Israel. We also regret that relations between Turkey and Israel are
deteriorating day by day, and these countries are seeking to inflict
heavy diplomatic blows on each other. Azerbaijan, of course, wants
Turkey and Israel to reach a common denominator in this situation.
I consider the remarks by the Israeli foreign minister on the “Armenian
genocide” to be a hasty statement which does not meet the interests
of Israel. Possibly, in the near future we will hear another statement
opposing the remarks by the Israeli foreign minister.
This is because the democratic circles of Israel are one of the
parties struggling against the “genocide” of 1915 invented by Armenian
nationalists. In such a tense situation every word must be weighed,
so that they subsequently do not create problems.
Anyway, if Israel recognizes the “genocide”, Azerbaijan will oppose
this, because the fictional “Armenian genocide” is not politics, but
a way to occupy Azerbaijani lands. This step may inflict a serious
blow to the national interests of Israel.
The parties should keep an increasingly low profile in the event of
deteriorating bilateral relations. This would benefit both countries
themselves and the whole region.
What steps may Baku take if Israel recognizes the “Armenian genocide”?
Israel has not done â~@~Kâ~@~Kanything in that direction yet. What
has been said by the foreign minister of Israel may be assessed
as an integral part of the diplomatic conflict. I believe that the
circles responsible for protecting public interest both in Turkey and
Israel will still voice some views on this issue. However, over time,
statements by the parties will become more specific in nature and
will meet their real intentions.
May the spoiled Turkey-Israel ties facilitate the adoption of an
“Armenian genocide” bill in the US Congress?
I do not think that relations between Turkey and Israel will become so
tense that the Jewish lobby would take such a step. But at the same
time, international relations, of course, are subject to development
and recession. Therefore, such authoritative and well-established
states as Turkey and Israel will be able to find a better option to
solve their problems.
Should Azerbaijan through diplomatic channels warn the Israeli side
against taking steps that could damage relations between Baku and
Tel Aviv?
One should wait for the next steps by Israel. I do not believe that
Israel can fall into the trap of the fictional “Armenian genocide”. In
other words, the possible adoption of any decisions by Israel relating
to the “genocide” will only benefit the Armenian nationalists. The
Armenian nationalists will be increasingly happy at tensions between
Turkey and Israel. I believe that the diplomatic tensions between
Ankara and Tel Aviv will decline after a time.
Would it be appropriate and possible for Azerbaijan to be a mediator
in reconciliation between Turkey and Israel?
Either way, Azerbaijan is always ready to carry out any mission
that promotes stability, friendship and peace and reduces tension in
the region.