Interview with member of Turkey’s Grand National Assembly (parliament), Deputy Chairman of ruling Justice and Development Party’s parliamentary faction Mustafa Elitash.
The Armenian Constitutional Court decision declaring the Turkish-Armenian protocols consistent with country’s laws once again highlighted relationship between the two countries. What next steps will Turkey take in this process?
The Armenian Constitutional Court decision can change something just for Armenia itself. I think Turkey’s position in this process will not change. The Turkish leadership has an obvious decision on this issue. The prime minister announced this in the parliaments of Turkey and Azerbaijan, as well as at international meetings. It is impossible to reopen borders and establish ties with Armenia until the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is resolved.
Turkey has given promise to Azerbaijan and its people. No agreement will force it to backtrack. Turkey is very concerned about the fate of Azerbaijan’s occupied territories.
These protocols were actually a gesture of good will by Turkey to Armenia which must appreciate this gesture in its turn. Ankara has announced that it can reopen border and establish relations with Armenia helping the country to get out of the impasse once the Karabakh problem is resolved.
Turkey can become the best platform for Armenia to access Western markets. Decisions are made not in order to remain on paper. Turkey has always been aware of responsibility of the documents signed. By signing the protocols, Turkey has assumed great risk. The country’s public opposes the signing of the protocols. But we have demonstrated that we want to live not by history, but present day, in peace and understanding. Now it is Armenia’s turn to take action.
Do you mean the Turkish parliament will not debate the protocols until the Karabakh problem is solved?
Turkey’s position on this issue remains unchanged. Turkey will ratify the protocols and begin to implement them only after decisive steps are taken to resolve Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Even before the Zurich protocols were signed, the Turkish authorities stated that if the reasons which led to closure of the border between the two countries are not eliminated, implementation of the protocols will be impossible. It all depends on further steps by Armenia. New decisions adoption today should not ignore what was adopted yesterday. On the contrary, we should take future steps analyzing the past. We are advocates of the slogan “Yesterday’s the past, but today is reality.” But this does not mean ignoring the past. We just support new approach to problems.
By signing these protocols, we demonstrated our good will to Armenia and the whole world. But fraternal Azerbaijan, a victim of Armenian aggression, should not suffer from our good will. We would like to make the Caucasus a zone of peace and cooperation. Those who want to join us should abandon their ambitions and think about how we can live together in the future.
Armenians usually put up anti-Turkish campaign before April 24. Turkey is expected to face increased international pressure in the light of the decision adopted by the Armenian Constitutional Court. Will Turkey be able to stand this pressure?
Turkey is a country in the region with its own word and weight. No one can make it a tool in their games by exerting pressure. The world has changed very much and it cannot force Turkey to accept what is unacceptable.
Every year on April 24 Armenian claims of genocide reach their peak. Every time they introduce April 24 as the deadline for Turkey. But these ambitions cannot replace the truth. We will never accept a campaign aimed at insulting good name of our ancestors and announcing them murderers. This is a matter of honor for Turkey. We give a chance to Armenia to identify the historical truth. The Turkish government has proposed establishing a joint commission to investigate the events of 1915. Our archives are open to all. But they prefer not facts, but fictional stories.
How do you assess Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s recent visit to Moscow?
It was a very important visit in terms of warming relations between Turkey and Russia, boosting economic ties and solving energy problems. I highly appreciate this visit.
Russia is one of the most influential countries in the world with its own place and weight in international politics. Russia is also an energy giant. Given the energy needs in the modern world, the relationship with the world’s energy giant must always be at the proper level. In recent years, many countries, especially European ones, have experienced the “pleasures” of the cold winter. Turkey is a country that consumes huge amounts of energy. Our country can find common points with Russia and achieve a positive result from such relations. Russia’s leaders also treat Turkey with understanding.
What are your views on Russian FM Lavrov’s statement that it is “incorrect” to link resolution of the Karabakh problem with reopening of the Turkey-Armenia border?
Russia is not one of the two sides, but a third party in this process. We understand what concerns us and what not in such matters relating to Turkey only. We must decide matters related to Turkey only ourselves. Russia may remain committed to its opinion. I must say that is not right to respond to Turkey’s good will this way.
I think Russia should help resolve the Karabakh problem as a country with a huge impact on Armenia. Mediation mission in the Minsk Group obliges Russia to do this. This is our problem whether the protocols have something in common with the Karabakh conflict or not.
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