Former Minister of Internal Affairs of Turkey: "The main task is to take full control of all territories and border points"

Turan: After the military operation launched by Azerbaijan on November 10 with the aim of clearing its lands from the Armenian occupiers ended in victory; now the issue of returning Zangezur, unjustly transferred to Armenia is on the agenda. How do you assess the current situation related to this?

Tantan: The just struggle for the liberation of its lands from the Armenian aggressors, started by Azerbaijan with the support of Turkey, was stopped without a final result. The question arises - why Azerbaijan, which is on the verge of complete victory, suddenly accepted Russia's proposal on a ceasefire? In this war, the Azerbaijani people strengthened their national identity and showed full solidarity with the state in order to completely clear the territory of the Motherland from occupation. Could the main reason for making such a decision be that Russia used as a threat the fact that Azerbaijan is connected with Russia by multifaceted ties? Why were these territories transferred to the control of Russian "peacekeepers"? Zangezur is a Turkic land, and the forces that do not want it to be returned to Azerbaijan and the corridor were not open are known. These are Western countries, Russia and Iran. The Zangezur crossing is the shortest route connecting both the West and Turkey with the Caspian Sea and the Turkic world. The air, rail and land routes passing through it are important for the development of trade, economy and security of the Eastern Black Sea Basin, Azerbaijan, the South Caucasus, the Turkic world and Afghanistan.

Is the statement of the Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan “we will not fulfill this agreement” his own opinion or is it the opinion of the forces that use it? In my opinion, the agreement of November 10 should be disavowed by Azerbaijan and the entire territory of a sovereign state should be transferred under its control. And the parliament of Azerbaijan should, having canceled the decision on the transfer of Zangezur to Armenia, adopt a law that includes this region within its national borders. "

Turan: On January 11, at a meeting in the Kremlin, Aliyev, Putin and Pashinyan reached an agreement on "unblocking communications." Is the situation in this direction satisfactory? Another issue is the return of Azerbaijani refugees to their places of residence. We would like to know your opinion.

Tantan: Currently, the most important issue is taking control of all Azerbaijani lands. The opinions of Turkey and Azerbaijan on this issue completely coincide, they act jointly. However, the fact that part of Nagorno-Karabakh (unfortunately, the village of Khojaly is also located there, where the Armenians committed genocide in February 1992) is under the control of Russian "peacekeepers" raises serious concern. It is necessary that the Azerbaijani Turks expelled from their lands return to their places of residence as soon as possible, where they must undergo military training, and create informal self-defense organizations. The state should provide the returning rural population with the necessary material assistance to restore their farms.

Turan: During the hostilities, you called on Turkey to send additional troops to the border and cross the border in case of seizure of power in Armenia by illegal organizations. Recently, the issue of "normalizing" relations between Turkey and Armenia has been actualized. What can you say about this?

Tantan: For peace, security and development in the South Caucasus, the implementation of joint projects of Azerbaijan, Turkey, Georgia, Russia, Iran and Armenia, in particular projects related to technology, should be highlighted. The region will develop in this way. In particular, it is necessary to prevent attempts by the United States, France, Britain to deprive this region of stability. Iran has no other way for the development of South Azerbaijan, except for the speedy implementation of comprehensive measures, ensuring the rights of the population. In addition, the policy of organizing and inciting Kurdish citizens on the border with Turkey against the population of South Azerbaijan can cost Iran dearly. It is also necessary to end as soon as possible the deployment of elements of the PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party) terrorist organization in Armenia and support for their actions against Turkey and Azerbaijan. Iran should not be an instrument of the Turkish-Kurdish conflict, which the United States and Britain have been trying to implement for a long time. On the contrary, Iran must prevent this. Such a conflict could lead to the disintegration of Iran.

Turan: Despite Azerbaijan's repeated statements, Turkish peacekeepers were never able to enter the areas not controlled by Baku. What do you think Turkey thinks about this?

Tantan: For certain reasons, dependence on Moscow has returned Russia to Azerbaijani lands. First of all, Azerbaijan must put an end to this. On other issues, Turkey and Azerbaijan will come to an agreement, let no one doubt it.

Mayis Alizade