interview with editor-in-chief of Russia-based “Konservator” newspaper Rustam Arifjanov.
What is your assessment of the present state of the Armenia-Turkey relations?
The Armenian-Turkish relations are developing, not because it is necessary for Turks or Armenians, but because it is necessary for the United States and Europe. Besides, Erdogan, Gul and Sargsyan are well aware that the relations can be improved not in a day. However, they are required to depict the process, because neither Turkey nor Armenia are a driving force in world affairs. So, they are obliged to portray an initiative to establish relations. In fact, I am sure that nothing is happening.
In your opinion, nothing is happening because they sides fail to reach agreement, or because initially there is only appearance of the initiative and not more?
In fact, both Armenian and Turkish leaders are willing to open the border. They are ready for this. But peoples of these countries are not ready. Moreover, the word Armenian people means not only citizens of Armenia, but also representatives of the Armenian diaspora. I want the Azerbaijani and Armenian peoples to establish a friendship and mutual understanding, but most of the Azerbaijani population of is not ready to do this.
The Azerbaijan people are not ready because of the occupation of their lands…
It is difficult to change relations that were shaped many years ago so quickly. Are you ready in case 100,000 Armenians citizens will be full citizens of your country? Are you ready to see them in leading positions in the Nagorno-Karabakh and constant influence on them by a neighboring state?
It seems that many Azerbaijanis will be ready for this only after the occupied lands are liberated and on the condition that the Armenians will live in Azerbaijan as country’s citizens, but will not be entitled to claim the top posts. Because the history knows such examples of establishing relations between the two nations after serious conflicts.
In this case, Azerbaijan needs to convince the international community that Azerbaijanis are ready to provide the Armenians all with appropriate rights. And then the international community might press on Armenia promoting resolution of the conflict.
Do you believe the Armenia-Turkey border will reopen any time soon?
I believe that the border will reopen, but do not believe that it will take place soon. But even if the border reopens, it will mean nothing serious. Guards and customs will stand along both sides of the border. So, there will be no unhindered passage of goods, raw materials and others from one country to another.
Turkey says it will open border once Armenia takes substantial steps to resolve the Karabakh conflict…
We must be prepared that no matter how Russia and, especially, Turkey are friendly to us, these are states with their own interests. Once opening of the border with Armenia fully meets Turkey’s interests, it will certainly make such a move regardless of Azerbaijan’s interests. We should not think that someone else can willdefend our interests, we should do it ourselves.
Do you expect advances in resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict soon?
Armenia will not go anywhere this year or early next year it will begin withdraw from the occupied areas of the lowland Karabakh. Later the most difficult part of the process will begin. We should explain to the people that despite we have suffered much during the war, we have to live with the Armenian side by side and convince the world that we guarantee the rights of Armenians living in Azerbaijan.
Do you think that the international community will believe us and put pressure Armenia so that it would leave Azerbaijan’s occupied lands?
They will have no argument not to do so. For example, the Serbian government did not give such guarantees to Albanians and as a result Kosovo was torn away. The Georgians did not provide such assurances, and the same thing happened with South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
Azerbaijan has reiterated many times that it is ready to grant highest possible autonomy to Karabakh. As this is ancient Azerbaijani land, bargaining simply is not relevant in this case…
The international community will ask Azerbaijan to explain the concept of “the highest autonomy” and Azerbaijan would have to be flexible in this issue. Otherwise, the Armenians will torpedo the resolution of the conflict peacefully.
Otherwise, is a war an alternative way out?
Despite today Azerbaijan is much stronger than Armenia, I do not want hostilities and do not believe that it is possible. Azerbaijan must not forget that after starting a war, other CSTO member states may be required simply to stand on the side of its ally – Armenia. I am convinced that the conflict should have no military solution…
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