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Gudrat Hasanguliyev: â€œSuccessors of Ataturk will win struggle in Turkeyâ€

04 July 2008 12:48 (UTC +04:00)

-How do you evaluate Russian President Dmitry Medvedevâ€™s visit to Azerbaijan?
The visit is of great importance in terms of policy. Importance of the visit will apparently be seen if we take into consideration of Russiaâ€™s role in the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict.
We should try to make Russia recognize Azerbaijanâ€™s territorial integrity by taking proper measures, not words. We should also try to make Russia attach particular importance to neighborly relations with Azerbaijan. Neither the US nor EU has not taken concrete measures to ensure Azerbaijanâ€™s territorial integrity during 16 years. Russia voted against Azerbaijanâ€™s territorial integrity in UN General Assembly. Azerbaijan can carry out energy projects in the region according to the interests of Russia to restore the territorial integrity of the country. Azerbaijan can use transmission of its gas to Russia in the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The Government of Azerbaijan should increase its efforts on it. Russian proper forces know that prolonging settlement of the conflict has not positive influence on their interests.
-Does transmission of Azerbaijani gas to Russia cause irritation of the West?
Certainly, it will have not positive influence on the West. Azerbaijan has played a great role in European energy security and establishment of alternative energy corridor. Neither the US nor EU does not differ from Russia on their positions in the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict. These countries have not right to protest Azerbaijan. EU has pursued double police against Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan can reach an agreement with Russia on this issue on the behalf of the state interests. Russia should undertake an engagement to ensure Azerbaijanâ€™s territorial integrity. These factors should be reflected in terms of contract.
-What issues do the arrests of well-known persons and high-ranking military officers in Turkey predict?
-The rise of religious forces to power is a threat for any country. Letâ€™s take into consideration that the society got behind when Islam was used for the political goals. In fact the last developments in Turkey are the struggle of those, who try to unite the religion and politics and supporters of the secular state. I think supporters of Ataturk ideas will win in this struggle. Era of the religious state didnâ€™t justify itself and it is passed phase for Turkey. Turkey will continue its development in legal and democratic state-building.
-In one of the statements you said that you were negotiating with the opposition parties the issue of single candidate in the elections. Are you satisfied with the results of the negotiations?
-Discussions are going in this direction. We concluded the discussions with several parties. Those parties promised to announce their decisions on the eve of the election campaign.
-Did you solve the problem of headquarter?
-The headquarter problem was almost solved. We addressed President Ilham Aliyev on this issue and then the issue was attentively reviewed and on the same day the term of contract was prolonged.