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  • BAKU: Azerbaijani Consul: Armenia's Welfare Directly Connected With

    AZERBAIJANI CONSUL: ARMENIA'S WELFARE DIRECTLY CONNECTED WITH KARABAKH CONFLICT

    news.az
    Nov 30 2009
    Azerbaijan

    Elin Suleymanov News.Az interviews Azerbaijan's consul general in
    Los Angeles, Elin Suleymanov.

    What do you expect from Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan's visit to
    the United States?

    Turkey is among the key allies of the United States, therefore, during
    the visit the sides will discuss a wide range of issues. Washington is
    greatly interested in Turkey's support of US initiatives in Afghanistan
    and on Iran as well as the Middle East. Of course, we want the visit
    to result in an increase in efforts to resolve the Karabakh conflict
    as well as in a more realistic approach to the full integration of the
    South Caucasus. Moreover, there is a need to demonstrate a strategic
    approach to the export of Caspian oil and gas and energy security.

    Can we expect the visit to speed up the Karabakh settlement process?

    I hope Erdogan will raise the issue of the need for the resolution of
    the Karabakh conflict as soon as possible, as he did in his recent
    statements. Today, I think, few people doubt that the welfare of
    Armenia is directly bound to the Karabakh conflict settlement.

    Attempts to ignore the real problems of the region at the expense of
    symbolic tactical steps are harmful and have negative implications.

    Therefore, we can expect that an open exchange of views between our
    US and Turkish partners will lead to a comprehensive assessment of the
    situation in the region, especially in the context of their long-term
    interests. The main element of any analysis is the understanding of
    the threat posed by the unsettled regional problems.

    Have the positions of Turkey and Azerbaijan become more important
    for official Washington since Barack Obama came to power?

    Azerbaijan's position is reinforced thanks to the pragmatic and
    balanced policy based on national interests conducted by Azerbaijani
    President Ilham Aliyev. This policy is a continuation of the strategic
    course laid by national leader Heydar Aliyev, the main priority
    of which is to strengthen our statehood and raise the welfare of
    the Azerbaijani people. Moreover, Azerbaijan does not view itself
    separately from the region, being aware that regional welfare creates
    favourable conditions for the further development of our country.

    Therefore, Azerbaijan, which builds its relations on a mutually
    profitable basis, is a valuable and reliable partner both for the
    United States and other countries. US President Barack Obama and other
    senior US officials have already spoken about it. Washington should
    take steps to implement the plans earlier voiced by President Obama.

    To attain its goals, Obama's administration should obtain the support
    of reliable friends such as Azerbaijan and Turkey.

    And finally, do the Turkish and Azerbaijani diasporas in the United
    States manage to resist the Armenian diaspora there?

    The Azerbaijani diaspora has recently stepped up its work. We have
    witnessed numerous events held by US Azerbaijanis. For example,
    there is a plan to hold a conference of the US Azerbaijanis Network
    in Chicago in the near future. Yet I do not want to view the activity
    of the Azerbaijani diaspora only in terms of confronting the Armenian
    diaspora. The Azerbaijani community has a wide range of interests from
    contribution to intercultural dialogue to participation in debates
    on global energy security. At the same time, it should be noted that
    the formation and strengthening of the diaspora is a long-term process.

    Meanwhile, we should not forget that the Armenian diapora is among
    the most organized ethno-political groups in the United States.

    Unfortunately, some radical circles within the Armenian diaspora
    continue to see developments in our region only through a prism of
    narrow ethnic interests and confrontation. For example, differences
    between Yerevan and the diaspora and within the diaspora itself over
    the Turkish-Armenian dialogue turned into an attempt to present
    the Karabakh issue as a factor uniting Armenians. It means that
    confrontation with neighbours, in particular, blatant attempts to
    legitimate ethnic cleansing in Shusha, has become a uniting factor.

    Anyway, the decisions about the future are taken in the region,
    not within diaspora circles.

    What can you say about the role of Turkey and Azerbaijan in the South
    Caucasus region in the near future?

    Undoubtedly, Azerbaijan is the leading country in the South Caucasus.

    This position will be strengthened through cooperation with Georgia,
    Turkey and other partners. In turn, new opportunities are opening
    for Turkey. Ankara may use this situation to strengthen its positions
    in the Caucasus and Central Asia. The statements of Turkish leaders
    prove that Ankara understands Azerbaijan's role in this regard.
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