In your opinion, what is behind Erdogan’s warning on possible expulsion of 100,000 Armenian citizens from Turkey? May Ankara really make such a move?
I think that Turkey will be obliged to take such a step. Modern Turkey was not so well familiar with the true motivation of Armenians. When current Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu worked as an adviser to Prime Minister Erdogan, he proposed to apply the concept of "zero problems with neighbors." It was designed for all and was proposed to apply to Iran, and Syria, and Kurds. Turkey had the same position towards all neighbours.
But Armenia has always differed from other neighbors. I think now Davutoglu must understand that reservations should be made in respect to Armenia. To make the concept of "zero problems with neighbors” work, it is necessary to establish a zero relations with Armenia as a first step. I mean, the relations between Ankara and Yerevan must be minimized. Turkey should recall all its citizens from Armenia and stop all formal and informal, economic and transportation links with Armenia.
Even the air communication which is the only direct communication?
Yes, of course! All relationships must be cancelled to establish "zero relations". And all those tens of thousands of Armenian citizens who live and earn very good money in Turkey (according to my information, their combined annual revenues exceed $ 1 billion), should be politely but firmly and unequivocally deported to their country. Today, relations between Turkey and Armenia have become even more complicated and hostile than before 5-10 years ago.
What measures official Turkey and Turkish diaspora organizations may take if the process of recognition of the so-called “Armenian genocide” will advance to other countries?
I think, regardless of what Armenia and Armenian Diaspora will do abroad, Turkey has to start to implement the concept of "zero relations with Armenia” because a machine that has started up around Turkey will long continue to make noise. Turkey needs not to pay attention to anything, and continue with its own path.
Do you think the recent moves by the U.S. Congress House Committee on Foreign Relations and Swedish parliament to recognize the “Armenian genocide” lead the Armenian-Azerbaijani negotiations to deadlock and ruins the process of the Armenian-Turkish rapprochement?
The current events have almost paralysed the Armenian-Turkish relations. I think Armenian-Azerbaijani negotiations will also face bid drawbacks. But Armenian nation and the very type of the Armenian way of thinking will suffer the greatest tragedy from these resolutions in the United States and Sweden. These decisions were taken by a margin of only one vote both in Sweden and in America. Besides being pro-Armenian, they are also directed against Turkey.
I think the Jewish lobby wants to punish the United States and Turkey, and therefore used the "Armenian genocide" as an instrument capable of harming US-Turkish relations. Because, Israel also does not know what to do at the moment. The Jewish lobby is also dissatisfied with the actions of the United States. And the fact that the Armenians did not understand all this is tragedy of their mentality. It also indicates that the Armenian nation is not yet able to coexist with its neighbors, and cannot maintain its independence and statehood.
In other words, Armenia’s blockade and its absence in all regional projects will not only continue, but will deepen even more. Armenia wanted to normalize relations with Turkey, but Russia and Iran turned out to be dissatisfied. Now they will not strive to support Yerevan so much. I think Armenia has worsened its situation in terms of economy and communication.
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said that if Armenia accepts the updated Madrid principles, it will open up an opportunity to continue work on a large peace treaty. Why does Armenia delay adoption of these principles?
Armenia will never sign a peace treaty on liberation of Azerbaijan’s occupied lands without any pretext. Armenia will never take such a step. It has just played a game all this time.
Armenia’s latest false move was to attempt to create a feeling in international community that Armenia is ready for dialogue and peaceful settlement of the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. They claimed that Baku will not accept these principles since they contained wording "a referendum or public vote." However, Azerbaijan adopted these principles! Armenia fell into the trap rigged differently. I think that Armenia is now seeking some way out of this awkward situation so that to make Azerbaijan guilty in this regard.
In my opinion, military option or something close to it option is the only way to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. In another way, no Armenian president will sign a peace treaty based on the Madrid principles. Armenians are not wise enough to do this. Armenia loses everything and loses…
R. Mehdiyev
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