Turkish MP explains Ankara's role, if another Karabakh war breaks out

Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian presidents had a trilateral meeting on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in St. Petersburg a couple of days ago. In your opinion, can Turkey also initiate similar meetings?

Of course, it can. Everything depends on Armenia’s stance. Settlement of the Karabakh conflict is one of the priorities for the Turkish government. It is impossible to resolve Armenian issue without prior settlement to the Karabakh conflict.

The Armenian-Turkish normalization, which began with the "football diplomacy"...Has it simply calmed down or completely faded away?

Again, all these depend on a stance of the Serzh Sargsyan government on the Karabakh conflict. Normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey will begin right after Armenians liberate Nagorno-Karabakh.

Do you mean Turkey expects Armenia to come to senses and respect international law?

Exactly, but not only Turkey, but also Europe expects Armenia to do so. Implementation of the Baku-Yerevan-Ceyhan energy corridor depends on the Karabakh conflict. Europe is interested in liberation of occupied Azerbaijani territories through which new routes to deliver energy resources from Azerbaijan and other Caspian countries will be laid. Europe and the United States will force Armenia to free Azerbaijan’s occupied lands.

In your opinion, what will Turkey’s reaction be in event Azerbaijan decides to use its world-recognized right to restore its territorial integrity by force?

Turkey does not want military actions to resume. A war affects development of society and a country as a whole. Turkey will do its best not to let it happen. Azerbaijan has enormous diplomatic resources in terms of restoring its territorial integrity. These resources are constantly growing. Azerbaijan is becoming stronger and stronger. I do not think the sides will have to resort to non-political methods.

On whose support Azerbaijan can rely on in case it has no other way to regain sovereignty over all its territory?

It can rely on a full support by Turkey. There can be no doubt about it.

Given developing Russia-Turkey relations as of late, can the sides try to resolve the conflict in a Russia-Armenia-Azerbaijan-Turkey format?  

Turkey does not hide its willingness to try to resolve the conflict along with Russia. Turkey and Russia have built strategic partnership on a number of foreign policy issues. I think, time will come also for resolution of the Karabakh conflict. We still expect the EU and U.S. to exert pressure on Armenia. There are many reasons to do this.
 
According to Armenian media, assurances are often heard in this country that by 2015 the world community will recognize the so-called "Armenian genocide"…

The policy of "genocide" is an instrument of political pressure on Turkey by the Armenian Diaspora. Ankara offers to conduct an impartial investigation into the events of 1915. Turkey's  offer is gaining support in the world.

A few weeks ago, Azerbaijan and Turkey reached a deal on natural gas prices. May this economic deal have political consequences later?

Of course. Azerbaijan and Turkey have increased political credibility in the world.

Are there any differences in approaches to the settlement of the Karabakh conflict by the AKP and the Turkish opposition?

The problem of liberation of Nagorno-Karabakh has a national character. There cannot be any disagreements in such matters. All the occupied Azerbaijani territories must be liberated. This is an essential and indispensable condition for the normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia. We expect some progress in this regard. I note again that positions of Europe and the United States play a crucial role here.


/Day.Az/