TURKISH GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE WARY OF AZERBAIJAN’S INTERESTS: POLITICAL EXPERT
Today.Az
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Oct 19 2009
Azerbaijan
Day.Az interview with Azerbaijan political expert and historian
Yunus Oguz.
Day.Az: On Oct. 10., Turkey and Armenia signed protocols on
normalization of relations between countries. How do you see further
developments in the region?
Yunus Oguz: The region has already begun changing. In fact, Azerbaijan,
the Azerbaijani society, as well as by the population of Turkey now
have distrust towards the Turkish government. The population has a
great love for Azerbaijan. In April, a survey was conducted among
population in Turkey, which showed that 94 percent of respondents are
against opening of Turkish-Armenian border. Naturally, the Turkish
government loses most of all in this situation.
If the borders are opened, the relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey,
both in political and economic spheres, will deteriorate.
Azerbaijan in this matter have said its word as the other day
Azerbaijan and Russia signed an agreement on deliveries of Azerbaijani
gas to Russia.
But, on the other hand, there are other values between Azerbaijan and
Turkey. The use of phrase "One nation, two states" in both countries
to this day is not accidental. So, I think that Europe and the
United States that keep Turkey under pressure will eventually have
to abandon it.
Q: Will the parliament of both countries ratify the protocols?
A: I think the Turkish parliament will not ratify the protocols.
Because in 1993 Turkish Grand National Assembly decided to close the
border with Armenia due to the occupation of Azerbaijani territories.
Therefore, before ratification of the protocols signed in Zurich,
the parliament will need to eliminate the 1993 law. It will not be
easy to do this.
With regard to the ratification of the protocols in the Armenian
parliament, I can say that Armenia has already received approval from
Russia, which has its own interests in this regard.
Q: Ddo you think the Armenian-Turkish border will be opened by the
end of the year?
A: I do not believe that the border could be opened before the end of
the year, even if the protocols are ratified. Opening the borders is
a long process. The protocols indicate that preparations shall be held
to open borders within two months following signing of the protocols.
Q: What impact opening of borders may have on resolution of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?
A: I think that if the borders are opened, it would affect the
settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, since the issue of
Karabakh will remain unresolved for a long time.
Q: Do you think the opening of borders between Turkey and Armenia
could lead to increasing tension in the region?
A: I think that military action in the region is not wanted. Neither
in countries in the region nor in the West. In fact, everything that
is happening now is the U.S. struggle in the region. The United States
interests include is to get Central Asia through Azerbaijan and take
over energy resources in Central Asia.
However, if Armenia does not liberate Azerbaijan’s land, I think
that Azerbaijan could launch military action over its territory,
and it will be fair.
Q: How do you assess the fact that the flag of Azerbaijan was not
allowed to the football match between Armenia and Turkey in Bursa?
A: I think that this situation has played into the hands of
Azerbaijan. The decision to avoid the entry of Azerbaijan flag’s
of to the stadium in Bursa has led to distribution of more than 50,
000 Azerbaijani flags in the Bursa streets. Flags of Azerbaijan and
Turkey were hung from each house. It was a warning to the Turkish
government so that it will be wary of Azerbaijan’s interests.
The scandal with the flag once again showed how people love and support
Azerbaijan in Turkey. This suggests that if the Turkish government
conducts a wrong policy towards Azerbaijan and relations between the
countries deteriorate, they will lose the 2011 election.
http://www.today.az/news/politics