TODAY.AZ / Politics

Turkish Minister of Defense: Turkey strongly supports Azerbaijan in Nagorno Karabakh conflict

13 October 2011 [19:00] - TODAY.AZ
APA’s interview with Turkey’s Minister of National Defense Ismet Yilmaz.
Mr. Yilmaz, we would like to know your opinion on the current level and development of Turkey-Azerbaijan military relations.

First of all I want to start with congratulation on the 20th anniversary of Azerbaijan’s independence. I am pleased to see that Azerbaijan has done much in every sphere within the past 20 years. Turkey and Azerbaijan have comprehensive military partnership based on long years and mutual confidence. Our relations, which started after Azerbaijan regained its independence, have developed with education, training and other programs. We continue making efforts to unite our power in the defense industry. We see that the relevant bodies of the two countries have common demand and will. The cooperation between our countries in the sphere of defense industry was established with the agreements signed on August 11, 1992 and on June 10, 1996. I think that “Agreement on Strategic Partnership and Mutual Assistance” signed last year made a turning point in our military relations. Strength of Azerbaijani Armed Forces will be the biggest guarantor of the regional peace. As the Turkish proverb says: “If you want peace, prepare for war”. The existence of the factors posing threat to the stability in the South Caucasus, poses serious threat to Azerbaijan’s independence and regional peace. Approximately 5 000 Azerbaijanis have got military education in Turkey up to now. A lot of Azerbaijanis are still studying at military schools in Turkey. We will continue making efforts towards the development of the strategic relations that are improving basing on the brotherly relations between the two countries.

Azerbaijan is marking the 20th anniversary of its independence. Turkey has supported Azerbaijan in all spheres, particularly in the military sphere in the past 20 years. What has been achieved in the military cooperation and defense industry? What do you see in the future?

I am glad that Azerbaijan has achieved much in all spheres, including military in the past 20 years. Azerbaijan has got one of the strongest armies in the region with increased opportunities and abilities. This is a source of pride not only for the Azerbaijani people, but also for the Turkish people.

On the other hand, partnership with Azerbaijan in defense industry is developing. These relations are realized by the companies and state organizations in accordance with the international agreements. The mutual visits of a number of delegations in the area of defense industry played an important role in the development of the relations. The agreement signed on September 20, 2000, determined the legal framework of the development of cooperation in the defense industry. ASELSAN-Baku company, which was established in 1998, plays an important role in meeting most technical requirements of Azerbaijani Army. But I can say that our cooperation in defense industry is in the initial stage. This cooperation must be enhanced. Great process of development has been recently observed in the defense industry of Turkey. The projects on communication systems, armoured vehicles, missiles, national shipbuilding and production of helicopters must be realized in line with the NATO standards.

What issues will be on the agenda during your visit to Azerbaijan? What new can Turkey offer to improve cooperation in defense industry?

We look forward to comprehensive and long-lasting joint cooperation with Azerbaijan. No doubt, the improvements in the defense industries of Turkey and Azerbaijan will ensure the development of our cooperation. In the light of the development in our defense industry we are viewing the future much more differently. We have got strong relations with Azerbaijan in all spheres. It is one of our most important plans to improve these relations in the sphere of defense industry, as well. Nagorno Karabakh conflict and the situation in the region is one of the issues that will be discussed during the visit. Nagorno Karabakh conflict caused the exile of hundred thousands Azerbaijanis from their homes and the occupation of 20% of Azerbaijani lands. This is a fact. This problem creates great obstacle to the security, stability and development of the region. The settlement of the conflict on the basis of international law and decisions of the international organizations will ensure peace in the region.

One of the Turkey’s targets is a sustainable peace in the region and confidence between the people. Turkey continues its active positions on the peaceful settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict, renders every diplomatic and political support to Azerbaijan in the international organizations. Turkey supports Azerbaijan on Nagorno Karabakh conflict with all opportunities. Our President and Prime Minister also stated it during their visits. We closely watch the activity of the Minsk Group. We hope that the activity of the co-chair countries - US, France and Russia - will be accelerated in the near future. Attentive watching the peace process and fixing the date is significant for both Azerbaijan and Armenia because only the two parties can put an end to this conflict.

Turkey has recently realized great projects on unmanned flying vehicles, “Atak”, “Milli tank”, “Milgem”. What are the targets of Turkey’s defense industry towards Caucasus and Turkic republics?

As you know, Turkey is the neighbor of the most unstable regions of the world. Turkey is a country, which is in the center of the Middle East, Balkans and of course the Caucasus with unstable situation, which potential can influence the entire Eurasia. We see that Azerbaijan is not so different. Though Azerbaijan is a strong state, it has undergone the possible influence of instability in the South Caucasus. So, it is important that our countries, located in the environment with close conflict risks, have their defense industries. Defense industry is a strategic sector. It is one of our major plans to meet our military needs with the national sources. Turkey has launched a number of national projects in this sphere.

We have nationalized communication and command-control systems. I can say that we have reached a good level in the area of unmanned flying vehicles. We see that the interest in this technology is increasing in the world. On the other hand, the ships built by our national companies within the framework of “Milgem” project are operating. Serious achievements have been made in “Atak” helicopter project. The first prototype of the helicopter started test flights in August. Of course, it is important to use this achievement not only in our country, but also in Azerbaijan and republics in the Central Asia. We do not regard this issue only as commercial. The development of the defense capacity of Azerbaijan and all brotherly states is very important for our strategic unity.

“Agreement on Strategic Cooperation and Mutual Assistance” between Azerbaijan and Turkey was ratified early in 2011. The agreement envisaging high-level cooperation prioritizes military issues, particularly defense industry. How can Azerbaijan participate in the abovementioned projects of Turkey within the framework of this agreement?

I would like to remind that Turkey was the first country which recognized Azerbaijan’s independence declared on October 18, 1991. The diplomatic relations were established with a protocol signed on January 14, 1992. After that date we see sustainable development of relations between the two countries in all spheres on the basis of history and culture. The level of our relations reached the level of strategic partnership as a result of this development. The “Agreement on Strategic Cooperation and Mutual Assistance” is a very significant agreement. Azerbaijan and Turkey contemplate to strengthen political, defense, economic, commercial, cultural and other relations. Turkey remains as Azerbaijan’s most significant ally in the region. I think that this agreement is an important value in further development of our alliance. We will continue our work towards meeting of all requirements and desires of our countries during the military cooperation with Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan’s ANAMA organization also attended tender of mine-clearance on Turkey-Syria borders. According to some reports, the work has started for establishment of humanitarian mine-clearance center attached to the Turkish Defense Ministry like in Azerbaijan. We would like you to inform us about this project. How do you assess the interstate cooperation in mine-clearance sphere?

The mine-clearance of all borders is a significant target for Turkey. The mine-clearance operations have been started on Turkey-Syria. Azerbaijani National Agency for Mine Actions (ANAMA) also attended the tender. I would like to remind that Turkey joined the mine-clearance operations in Saloglu region near Gandja, realized within cooperation with NATO, as a leader country. The success of ANAMA, which carried out and finished mine-clearing operations here, are estimable. The finish of this project is an indicator of distance overcame by Azerbaijan in the field of UXO/mine clearance. Turkey’s national activities in the mine-clearance sphere are also continuing. From the other side, we are ready for international cooperation in this sphere.

How does Ankara consider the issue on establishment of Turkey-Azerbaijan or Turkey-Azerbaijan-Georgia military union in the region? What role the establishment of such union can play in the maintenance of stability in the region, at the same time in integration of Azerbaijani and Georgian armed forces into the NATO standards?

We target to develop our military and defense relations with Azerbaijan. The education of Azerbaijani Armed Forces in accordance with the NATO standards and weapon and maintenance are very important for the region’s stability. Turkey supports Azerbaijan’s relations with NATO and other Western organizations. We think that the Azerbaijan-NATO cooperation within the Partnership for Peace is profitable, as well as this cooperation is significant from the point of view of Azerbaijan’s economical and political interests.


/APA/
URL: http://www.today.az/news/politics/96394.html

Print version

Views: 1991

Connect with us. Get latest news and updates.

Recommend news to friend

  • Your name:
  • Your e-mail:
  • Friend's name:
  • Friend's e-mail:

See Also