Political expert: Azerbaijan should create all necessary prerequisites for a successful military solution to Karabakh conflict

In your opinion, what will be the fate of the Turkey-U.S. relations after the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Relations adopted the Resolution 252 on the so-called “Armenian genocide” ?

The resolution was yet another nail on the coffin called "allied relations between the U.S. and Turkey." The reason is Turkey's desire to play a role in the region, which goes beyond what the United States would like to see. In particular, the U.S. is not satisfied with the geopolitical "square" being formed by Turkey. I'm talking about the project of Ankara's allied relations with Tehran, Yerevan and Damascus. This geopolitical "square" provides a very good condition to put pressure on Israel. Moreover, this factor can rebuild Iraq's future, especially after American troops are pulled out from this country.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that the U.S. Congress will not consider the "Armenian genocide" resolution. If her words are true, can we say it marks end of cooling of the Turkish-Armenian relations?

No. Hillary Clinton’s statement is, in fact, sign of a threat against Turkey. But the situation now is beyond the scope of such scare and blackmail which Turkey resists. This country is developing a new political line at the moment.

I think that Clinton statement was late. Moreover, those in Turkish authorities will never yield to scare and blackmail.

What implications may cooling of Turkey-U.S. relations have?

Cooling of the Turkey-U.S. relations increases a need for Turkey to deepen allied relations with Azerbaijan. In order to capitalize the existing opportunities, Azerbaijan should build warm relations with Iran. In other words, Azerbaijan in every way needs downplay Armenia’s importance in geopolitical "square" formed by Turkey increasing its own importance. In my opinion, Azerbaijan must develop relationships with neighboring states, but not with the EU and the U.S. who will not seek to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, but try to remove it from the agenda.

In your view, what specific measures Azerbaijan should take to ensure just settlement to the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?

Azerbaijan should create all the necessary prerequisites for a successful military solution to the Karabakh conflict. There is simply no other solution to this conflict. In order to create all the necessary prerequisites for a successful military solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Azerbaijan should build advantageous system of diplomatic ties. I mean Azerbaijan should build allied ties not only with Turkey but also with Iran and Arab countries. Only in this way, changing the system of relations with its neighbours, Azerbaijan may create an opportunity for a sharp, timely and unambiguous impact on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.


A. Hasanov