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Koksal Toptan: Nagorno Karabakh is not only Azerbaijanâ€™s, but also Turkeyâ€™s problem EXCLUSIVE

Koksal Toptan: Nagorno Karabakh is not only Azerbaijanâ€™s, but also Turkeyâ€™s problem<font color=red> EXCLUSIVE</font>

21 November 2007 14:13 (UTC +04:00)

-What are your first impressions on Azerbaijan?
-Chairman of our party and Prime Minister Suleyman Demirel visited Baku in 1968. We excitedly watched Demirelâ€™s visit. Later during our talks and when we assessed the results of the visit, we understood how right our excitement was. Demirel said our brothers embraced him with love and we were eager to see Azerbaijan. I first visited Azerbaijan in 1989, before the country gained their independence. I remember love and respect of our brothers in front of the hotel, called â€œAzerbaijanâ€, if I am not mistaken. We asked our brothers how they could speak Turkish fluently. One of them said â€œSinging songs on the Caspian sea shoreâ€. Azerbaijan is dear for us. Fortunately, our dreams came true and one nation steps forward like two states.
- You were Minister of Education when first 2000 students came to study in Turkey, after Azerbaijan gained its independenceâ€¦
- Now I see what splendid work we have done. I feel pride when I see the young men I sometimes receive, working in private sector and state agencies. Three Turkish ministers - Sharif Ercan, Hikmat Chatin and me were the first foreign delegation that in January, 1992 paid official visit to Turkic republics newly gained their independence. You remember, Turkey was the first state to recognize these states late in 1991, we paid visit after that. It was my second visit to Baku. After the visit I put our bill on education on the agenda of the Cabinet of Ministers and gave detailed information about the importance of the issue. As a result of discussions agreement was reached on rendering assistance to Turkic republics in the field of education. There were various ways of implementing the projects: first, to bring students to Turkey, second, to open schools there, third, make investigations on language and historical themes, fourth, sending printing materials in Latin script to these countries. We achieved great success in all of them, and held a meeting on joint language and history in Turkey, but it was not improved. We wanted pupils to learn common history of Turkic world along with the history of their countries. That is, a pupil in Gandja can learn whatever a pupil in Erzurum lyceum learns about our common history. Though we achieved success in other spheres, we could not improve this field.
When I was minister we were not satisfied with bringing only 2000 students. So, the number of students coming to Turkey from Azerbaijan for getting higher education reached to 3500. I remember it with pleasure, as 10.000 students from Turkish countries did not face any problem in Turkey at that time. Majority of them serve to their countries at present. Some of those who stayed here got married, there were those among them who stayed in Turkey and continued their education. Thus relations between Turkey and other Turkic societies were strengthened. We also sent students to those countries. I also sent building materials for the first Turkish school we opened in Baku that time. When I was dismissed from the post of national education minister I established fund, because I saw several lameness in this project and we assisted for the study of the students for 6-7 years. When I remind past I see that we did good work and I am proud of it. So, I am going to visit Azerbaijan with anxiety.
-This time you will pay official visit to Azerbaijan as a head of Grand National Assembly of Turkeyâ€¦
-We discussed whether to visit Azerbaijan or Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) firstly when I became speaker of the Parliament. We received invitation of Cyprus sooner, therefore we visited that country first. Our honorable president also visited Northern Cyprus and then Azerbaijan. But our second visit would be Azerbaijan. Our President visited Azerbaijan in early month, Prime Minister in mid month. And I am going to visit Azerbaijan in late month. So this is the indicator of Turkey-Azerbaijan fraternity.
-Will you have discussions on Nagorno Karabakh problem and claims on the so-called Armenian genocide in the framework of your visit?
-Of course, we will discuss. Genocide committed by Armenians happened in Karabakh factually, world should investigate it. There is occupation fact contrary to international law in Karabakh. We try to involve worldâ€™s point of view to this fact. I put forth occupation of Karabakh by Armenians, and injustice our brothers in Cyprus subjected while speaking to foreign guests. Our President and Prime Minister also do it. Thatâ€™s why Karabakh is not only problem of Azerbaijan, but Turkey at the same time. Not only Karabakh, but all the problems of Azerbaijan are the problems of Turkey.
-What messages will you give on democracy, Turkic union and other issues in Azerbaijan?
-We will speak about everything. We should accept that democracy is the key of development, happiness, prosperity in modern world. I always say that Turkey will continue its struggle against terrorism till the end, but will never give up democracy. Because struggle against terrorism can only be succeed in democratic condition. That is why our fraternal countries should not give up democracy target. Democracy is also developing in Azerbaijan. We should do our best for developing democracy in other Turkish Republics. Our human potential and natural resources will be enough for our becoming the strongest country of the world. That is why we should use human force and natural resources sensibly. We will exchange mutual views with our Azerbaijani brothers. All of us need it. We should support each other.
Oil-gas pipelines and railways unite us, Azerbaijan and Turkey, as well as Georgia. We are becoming closer to each other day by day. /APA/