Turkish MP: Turkey does not care about Armenia's wishes and whims

What steps the AKP is going to take in terms of ratification of the Turkey-Armenia accords? Will the process continue?

Turkey has a definite position regarding the protocols which will remain unchanged. Our position is that as a first step Armenia should leave Azerbaijan’s occupied lands. We will open borders with Armenia after the last Armenian soldier leaves the occupied territories.
 
With regard to establishing diplomatic relations, Turkey has some requirements to Armenia. The level of relations between Turkey and Armenia will depend on how Armenia will accept our conditions. At this stage Turkey does not coordinate its steps with Armenia’s actions. Turkey does not care about Armenia’s wishes and whims. Turkey wants peace, energy security, joint fight against terrorism and injustice in the region.

We agreed to start negotiations with the Armenian side for the sake of peace, justice and security. Those who try to interpret Turkey’s intentions in a different way are wrong. We have said our final word. Turkey is not going to beg Armenia. They need opening of the borders and establishing relationships more than we do.

As to continuation of the process, we are not playing a game so that to invent something new and change protocols every moment on someone's request. Today, Turkey is engaged in affairs more important than the protocols. If the Armenian side wants the process to continue, let it meet our requirements.

What will Turkey do if in a run-up to April 24 the United States threatens to recognize the "Armenian genocide" in case the protocols are not ratified?

Today the rules of game have changed worldwide including Turkey. Turkey has become a regional power and a country of a geopolitical importance. So, it will not accept any pressure or ultimatums. If the U.S. and the EU want to continue good relations with Turkey and remain partners, then they should not use such levers as "genocide", borders and Armenia.

They should not recognize a false "genocide" calling our ancestors murderers. Otherwise, Turks will not be able to maintain normal relations with those who consider them murderers. We will have to consider pressure from the West in the Armenian issue as anti-Turkish and anti-Muslim campaign and reconsider our policy towards it.

What do you expect from Turkish PM Erdogan's U.S. trip to take place in April?

Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit the U.S. to discuss all  regional problems and Turkey’s position. The visit will focus on bilateral military-political relations, the Karabakh conflict, Armenian issue, "Armenian genocide", energy security, terrorism, Iran's nuclear strategy, in short, all important matters. During his visit to Spain, the United States, Erodgan will voice Turkey policies and explain country’s position.

What steps the Turkish parliament and the AKP government are going to take in connection with anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy?

Our first task is to explain essence of the Khojaly events to Turkish and world community. Many people around the world are not still aware of this tragedy that occurred back in 1992. Armenian nationalists are still known as representatives of an "innocent nation that was subject to genocide and violence by their neighbors who has also taken away their land." We must expose this lie and show the world that they have committed one of the worst atrocities of the 20th century.

In connection with the anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy, Speaker Mehmet Ali Sahin will open related photo exhibition in the parliamentary lobby,  a book on the Khojaly massacre by Nariman Aliyev will be presented,  TRT Avaz TV channel will air a special program and five major cities of Turkey will host events on the massacre.

We want all these to take place a whole year, but not only on the day of anniversary. It is necessary to achieve recognition of the Khojaly genocide around the world and adopt documents necessary to punish the perpetrators. Turkey faces no problems to recognize the Khojaly genocide. Everything has its time.

Day.Az