Turkish government should be wary of Azerbaijan’s interests: political expert

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.

/Day.Az/