News.Az interviews Asim Mollazade, a member of the Azerbaijani parliament's Turkish friendship group and chairman of the Democratic Reforms Party.
Might the temporary opening of the Turkish-Armenian border for NATO exercises in Armenia on 11-17 September stiffen Yerevan’s position on Karabakh?
Recent history has shown that Armenia has a tendency to damage Azerbaijani-Turkish relations. As part of this tendency, Armenia is seeking the symbolic opening of the border with Turkey for at least a day. NATO cannot take any decisions without Turkey’s participation and I think that Turkey should use this situation to prompt NATO to consider the reasons for the closure of the border with Armenia. Turkey should make clear to NATO that closed borders are now the only peaceful way to urge Armenia to peace. This issue is important for Azerbaijan and Turkey in order to explain to the world community that Armenia's continuing aggressive policy is the reason for its isolation from regional events. This is the only way we have to urge Armenia to peace without the use of force. In turn, it should be made clear to the Armenian side that until it stops occupying the land of its neighbouring state, the borders with Turkey will remain closed. Therefore, I think the temporary opening of the Turkish-Armenian border will strengthen Yerevan’s position in the negotiations on Karabakh.
What should Turkey do to neutralize international pressure over the closed border with Armenia?
If a party wants to put pressure on Turkey within NATO, it should be made clear that the policy of pressure must be replaced with a policy of forcing Armenia to peace. We expect NATO not to put pressure on Turkey over the temporary opening of borders with Armenia and to use this pressure to force Armenia to peace. We expect this policy from NATO as an organization that wishes to see Azerbaijan as its partner.
Might the temporary opening of the Turkish-Armenian border lead to a permanent opening?
Certainly, this may happen. Azerbaijan supports the improvement of Turkish-Armenian relations. Therefore, the road map implemented as part of the Zurich protocols between Turkey and Armenia should include the liberation of Azerbajian's occupied lands.
Might a Turkish refusal to open the border with Armenia temporarily affect the US Congress's position on a resolution on the “Armenian genocide”?
In reality, the most important factor in relations between Washington and Ankara is that Turkey is the USA's closest partner in the region. The activity of the Armenian diaspora and lobby groups ahead of elections in the United States damages the strategic interests of the US itself. Both Turkey and Azerbaijan should inform US politicians and the public about the error of this policy.
What position should Baku take towards Ankara if the Turkish-Armenian border is temporarily opened?
First of all, Azerbaijan should express its annoyance to both Turkey and NATO. We expect Turkey to continue its previous policy on borders. Azerbaijan should also work towards attracting the NATO allies to the process of forcing Armenia to peace.
Lala B.
News.Az