President of Israel-Azerbaijan International Association and former member of the Israeli Knesset Iosif Shagal spoke in an interview.
-: Given the Turkish-Armenian protocols, will Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan visit Turkey to watch the football match?
Iosif Shagal: Well, it’s the continuation of the process. You see, there are negotiations that are conducted for the sake of negotiations. I think that Turkey has declared its intentions to play a role in settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, despite the fact that OSCE, Americans and Russia deal with it. Apparently, in the context of the decision by Turkey, I mean the meeting of presidents. This is absolutely logical and right. In other words, there is a need to meet, especially since the Turkish president met with the leadership of Azerbaijan. Turkey is positioning itself as a strategic partner, as a player in this region.
Q: What disadvantages Armenia may face in case border is reopened?
A: I think that for Armenia, the opening of borders with Turkey is ideal option. If that happens, Armenian diplomacy can celebrate the victory. This is a breakthrough, because Armenia is in a real situation of the blockade, with the exception of Iran. It is cut off from the outside world, there are big problems with deliveries and so on. If there is breakthrough in Turkey’s direction, it will be clearly a victory of Armenian diplomacy.
Q: Robert Bradke, recently appointed by the United States, will soon take up office of co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group. Do you think this is merely replacement of persons and the U.S. policy toward the Karabakh conflict will remain unchanged?
A: If American participation in the settlement had been constructive, there would be some results for so many years. I think it is inertia, or the inability of Americans to solve this problem led to intensified Turkish efforts. I think that change of the OSCE mediator by the United States is purely procedural and will hardly change the overall picture.
Q: Official representatives of Iran and representatives of the five permanent members of UN Security Council will reportedly meet in early October for talks on Iran’s nuclear program. Iran has denied existence of such programs claiming that it aims only to develop peaceful nuclear energy. Will it be able to convince the Security Council? What can one expect from the meeting?
A: I think the main point is not whether Iranian atom will be used for military purposes or not any longer. There is a very clear conflict of interests of major powers and a bone of contention is precisely Iran. It seems to me that the fact that Russia and China quite actively support Iran’s position and the U.S. on the contrary tries to attack him points to conflict of interest.
As for Iran, you understand that talks about using nuclear program only for energy are meant for only amateurs. Everybody is well-aware how it occurs, how it is done in practice. This is not just hot air. It was recognized not only by enemies of Iran, but those countries that approach Iran rather in a restrained and even positive manner.
All have recognized that this is threat. The threat that is global in nature, and we must do everything possible to stop Iran from joining the club of nuclear powers. It would be extremely dangerous and would destabilize the situation not only in the Middle East, but throughout the world.
day.az
