Interview day.az with the Orkhanom Erdemom, Turkish deputy ruling party of Justice and development
– What, in your opinion, about the present situation of the Turkish-Armenian relations?
– It is impossible to say that Turkey and Armenia have good relations. And it is taking for a long time. Unsettlement of the conflict is not a decision. There is a fact of continuing occupation the Azerbaijan territories by Armenia. It is necessary to know the following, and this is the main thing – Turkish parliament, the Government, and opposition never will take steps which can cause concern of Azerbaijan. Our dear Prime Minister Redjap Tayip Erdogan also spoke about this issue. He has declared it openly during his recent visit to Azerbaijan.
– Officials of the Armenian side have declared that normalization process of Armenian-Turkish relations is tightened because of Turkish side. Even so, it was noticed that the parties have reached appropriate arrangements, but because of delay of the process by a Turkish side and in the process of appropriate applications conditions in some way is tightened. What does Armenia try to tell with it?
– Both Turkey and Armenia has their domestic policy. Of course, in my opinion, within the country this kind of statements can be sound. Several months ago and the Turkish opposition declared that normalization process is ostensibly complete. Similar applications sounded in Azerbaijan too.
And what happened next? Mister Erdogan arrived to Baku and he met the president of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliev. The parties carried on negotiations, made statements. Naturally, there are many people perverting the truth. We see it in respect of the international relations.
But the most important conclusions are making by officials statements of the Government. I am not the representative of the international relations in parliament, but understand the following – probably, within the framework of negotiating process, dates are called, the parties urge to solve problems in certain terms. Perhaps, in this context they have prepared a document and now they are waiting the same thing from the Turkey.
I do not think that it should be exaggerated. The population of Azerbaijan first of all should know the following – the Turkish people and deputies chosen by them are not supporters of to cause any, let even small anxiety to Azerbaijan.
But, God grant, necessary steps will be made, Armenians will release the Azerbaijan territories occupied by them, the rights of refugees and the forced Azerbaijan IDP’s will be restored, and only after that the decision of all problems will begin. Turkey even does not think about other population.
– And how you will comment Turkish-Armenian “football diplomacy” and statement of the Armenian president of Serzh Sargsyan that the borders between two countries will open, and he will visit Turkey for viewing the football match between national teams of Turkey and Armenia?
– In my opinion, the decision of those problems which I have indicated is impossible till this match. That is, only after settlement of all problems specified by me Sargsyan also will visits Turkey. That is only after settlement of existing problems with Azerbaijan and Turkey.
– How will you evaluate statement sounding repeatedly by the Armenian side about Turkey does not intervene in the process of settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?
It is wrong because Turkey should not remain out of progress of events within its situated geography. What we usually speak about ourselves? We are one nation, two states. The Turkish countries should find a way to cooperation in our geography. The countries of this geography established independence, and Turkey always was near to these countries, helping to solve their problems, despite of its own problems.
We need to intensify these processes. From this point it comes out that, they are dictating to us: «Do not pay attention to Karabakh and do your own business»?
Turkey is not a small country. Turkey is not limited with its borders. Today Turkey also helps to Afghanistan and Syria to solve their problems. Turkey does mediatory function in settlement of various problems, and cannot be indifferent to problems of brotherly Azerbaijan. I do not believe that someone in Turkey thinks differently.
– Recently both in Armenian, and in Azerbaijan press it is much written that Turkey can become the fourth co-chairman of the Minsk group of OSCE, called to settle the Karabakh conflict. How do you think, whether it is necessary for Turkey to become the fourth co-chairman of the Minsk group of OSCE?
– Yes, it should. If Turkey becomes the fourth co-chairman of the Minsk group of OSCE, it will be more convenient to our Azerbaijan friends to undertake any steps for conflict settlement. I think, Turkey can shortly become the fourth co-chairman of the Minsk group of OSCE.
As I have noted earlier, Turkey is strong and, God grant, we will continue to take steps together for settlement of the Karabakh problem.
Day.az
