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RUSSIAN POLITICAL ANALYST ON NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT THROUGH PRISM OF RUSSIA-TURKEY RAPPROCHEMENT
Today
http://www.today.az/news/politics/69337.html
June 7 2010
Azerbaijan
Interview with Co-Chair of Russia's Fair Cause political party,
political analyst Leonid Gozman.
Russian PM's long-anticipated visit to Ankara was preceded by a
similar official visit to Turkey by Russian President. Experts say
the relations between the two countries have reached qualitatively
new level. How do you assess the current bilateral relations between
Moscow and Ankara?
Of course, these relations are developing at a fast pace. At present
the sides are discussing a number of economic and bilateral issues.
For example, the sides are negotiating to lift visa requirements. In
principle, the visa requirements were purely symbolic previously.
Russians only paid 20 dollars once they arrived in Turkey. It is
believed that Turkey opted to build closer ties with Russia after
it realized that it will not be admitted to the European Union any
time soon...
Well, I do not think that Turkey no longer aspires to the EU. Keep
in mind that Turkey is a country with enormous potential in almost
all fields. Today rapprochement with Turkey meets Russia's interests.
In your opinion, may Russia-Turkey rapprochement influence early
resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?
In my opinion, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has no solution in the
foreseeable future because there is no solution formula that would
suit both parties. What suits Baku does not suit Yerevan and vice
versa. Talking about each of the two conflicting parties, I would like
to note that relations between Moscow and Yerevan are strong enough.
Russia and Armenia are partners and allies. This relationship has
lasted long enough, and I think no major changes will take place in
near future.
And what about the relations between Moscow and Baku? Do you agree
that they have become even closer and stronger over the past years?
I would say that Russia's relations with Azerbaijan have always
been at the highest level. The basis of the high level of bilateral
relations was laid in Azerbaijan by Heydar Aliyev. Today this trend
is continued by current President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.
So, continuing the theme of Russian-Turkish rapprochement through the
prism of effect on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, I hope very much
that conflict will not go back to the phase of military hostilities.
And if it happens, I hope that Russia will not be involved.
Currently, there have been wide discussions in Armenia over draft
amendments to the laws "On Language" and "On Education", which involves
opening foreign-language schools in the country. Such amendments have
caused discontent with many among ordinary citizens, politicians and
even officials. Azerbaijan, which has always had schools in foreign
languages, in particular, in Russian, to put it mildly, is surprised
at this reaction.
One should bear in mind that Armenia is a mono-ethnic state with
Armenians making up 98 percent of the population. Perhaps, it is
one of the most mono-ethnic states in the world. On one hand, such
a reaction is understandable. There may be afraid of repeating the
Soviet past, when the main language was Russian in all former Soviet
republics and national language was of a secondary importance.
However, this is the case with all empires.
This was normal for the USSR. In India, for example, since its
colonization by Britain, education began to be carried out in English,
and only poor people could not give their children an education in
that language. However, national language should be principal in
independent countries.
However, if a country wishes to develop, if it intends to further
integrate into the global community, of course, it needs to provide
education in other languages as well. There is nothing bad about it.
There are only advantages. After all, the Armenian language is not
an international language.
From: A. Papazian
Today
http://www.today.az/news/politics/69337.html
June 7 2010
Azerbaijan
Interview with Co-Chair of Russia's Fair Cause political party,
political analyst Leonid Gozman.
Russian PM's long-anticipated visit to Ankara was preceded by a
similar official visit to Turkey by Russian President. Experts say
the relations between the two countries have reached qualitatively
new level. How do you assess the current bilateral relations between
Moscow and Ankara?
Of course, these relations are developing at a fast pace. At present
the sides are discussing a number of economic and bilateral issues.
For example, the sides are negotiating to lift visa requirements. In
principle, the visa requirements were purely symbolic previously.
Russians only paid 20 dollars once they arrived in Turkey. It is
believed that Turkey opted to build closer ties with Russia after
it realized that it will not be admitted to the European Union any
time soon...
Well, I do not think that Turkey no longer aspires to the EU. Keep
in mind that Turkey is a country with enormous potential in almost
all fields. Today rapprochement with Turkey meets Russia's interests.
In your opinion, may Russia-Turkey rapprochement influence early
resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?
In my opinion, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has no solution in the
foreseeable future because there is no solution formula that would
suit both parties. What suits Baku does not suit Yerevan and vice
versa. Talking about each of the two conflicting parties, I would like
to note that relations between Moscow and Yerevan are strong enough.
Russia and Armenia are partners and allies. This relationship has
lasted long enough, and I think no major changes will take place in
near future.
And what about the relations between Moscow and Baku? Do you agree
that they have become even closer and stronger over the past years?
I would say that Russia's relations with Azerbaijan have always
been at the highest level. The basis of the high level of bilateral
relations was laid in Azerbaijan by Heydar Aliyev. Today this trend
is continued by current President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.
So, continuing the theme of Russian-Turkish rapprochement through the
prism of effect on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, I hope very much
that conflict will not go back to the phase of military hostilities.
And if it happens, I hope that Russia will not be involved.
Currently, there have been wide discussions in Armenia over draft
amendments to the laws "On Language" and "On Education", which involves
opening foreign-language schools in the country. Such amendments have
caused discontent with many among ordinary citizens, politicians and
even officials. Azerbaijan, which has always had schools in foreign
languages, in particular, in Russian, to put it mildly, is surprised
at this reaction.
One should bear in mind that Armenia is a mono-ethnic state with
Armenians making up 98 percent of the population. Perhaps, it is
one of the most mono-ethnic states in the world. On one hand, such
a reaction is understandable. There may be afraid of repeating the
Soviet past, when the main language was Russian in all former Soviet
republics and national language was of a secondary importance.
However, this is the case with all empires.
This was normal for the USSR. In India, for example, since its
colonization by Britain, education began to be carried out in English,
and only poor people could not give their children an education in
that language. However, national language should be principal in
independent countries.
However, if a country wishes to develop, if it intends to further
integrate into the global community, of course, it needs to provide
education in other languages as well. There is nothing bad about it.
There are only advantages. After all, the Armenian language is not
an international language.
From: A. Papazian