FM Davutoğlu assures no policy change over Karabakh dispute

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict continues to be a top priority for Turkish diplomacy, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu says in response to reprehending remarks from Azerbaijan. ’Even if the sky falls, Turkey will not change its position,’ says Davutoğlu

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu once more affirmed that Turkey would push for a solution to end Armenia’s occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh after reprehending remarks came from Azerbaijan.

“Even if the sky falls, Turkey will not change its position,” Davutoğlu told reporters on Monday after his talks with Czech Foreign Minister Jan Kohout. The comments were seen as an attempt to tone down diplomatic rhetoric on Turkey’s part.

Turkish flags on Martyrs’ Lane in Baku were taken down last week after Azerbaijani flags were not allowed in a World Cup qualifier between Turkey and Armenia.

“Both Azerbaijani and Turkish flags belong to the same nation and are deemed to hold the same degree of importance for Turkish officials as well as 72 million citizens,” Davutoğlu said.

“Our flag, which the shadows of our martyrs rest under, has been entrusted to Azerbaijan’s greatness and honor. I hope they will act in accordance with this. I was told that the flags were taken down due to restoration and would be hung again soon.”

Stressing that the Karabakh conflict is at the top of the diplomatic agenda, he said President Abdullah Gül and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan recently highlighted the Karabakh dispute in the scope of U.N. talks, as well as meetings with the U.S. administration.

“There is no doubt that our Azerbaijani brothers will give the best response to those sowing discord. For all they may say, Turkey will continue its efforts until a solution is reached. There is no change in policy or attitude,” he said.

Azerbaijani President İlham Aliyev was also cited over the weekend as saying, “no more cheap gas to Turkey,” adding that they were looking for alternative gas transportation routes bypassing Turkey. Asked to comment on Aliyev’s remarks, Davutoğlu said: “The negotiations were underway between the Nabucco consortium and Azerbaijani officials. The Caspian- Anatolia transport route is strategically important for all of us.”

Confirming that the reconciliation protocols will be submitted to Parliament on Oct. 21, Davutoğlu said, however, “Submission and ratification are two different things.”

Surrender of PKK members

Upon questions regarding a group of outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, members who left northern Iraq to surrender to Turkish officers, Davutoğlu said: “The Turkey-Iraq border will be safe hereafter. I hope that these developments are striking signals of that.” He said counter-terrorism efforts continue in all fields and the democratic move and the 48 agreements, recently signed with Iraq, are parts of the same process.

Czech Republic to back Turkey’s EU bid against Cyprus obstacle

Davutoğlu asked his visiting Czech counterpart Jan Kohout to back Turkey’s European Union membership bid, which may come to a deadlock because of Cyprus. 

“I appreciate that the Czech Republic has principally supported Turkey’s EU membership. We’re entering a new period in which we will feel more need for this support,” Davutoğlu said at a joint press conference with Kohout.

No settlement has yet been reached in Cyprus reunification talks, Davutoğlu said. “While the Greek side is prolonging the talks, Turkey–EU relations come under risk. We’ve asked him to back us against such a danger.”

Kohout confirmed his country’s support for Turkish membership, saying, “It has strategic importance for both Turkey and the EU.”

Kohout and Davutoğlu expressed their satisfaction for a strategic bilateral partnership between Turkey and the Czech Republic to boost economic, cultural and political relations as well as cooperation at the international stage. 

Asked if Czech President Vaclav Klaus is against the Lisbon Treaty, which envisages new members to the union, contrary to the government’s support for Turkey’s bid, Kohout said: “Mr. President is not legally in a position to sign the treaty or finalize the ratification. The Constitutional Court will approve it at a hearing scheduled on Oct. 27.”

Source: Hurriyet
URL: www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=fm-davutoglu-assures-no-policy-change-over-karabakh-dispute-2009-10-19

Posted by admin October 2009

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