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Volkan Vural: â€œWithdrawal of Armenians from occupied territories should be a starting point for peace in the regionâ€ â€“ INTERVIEW

Volkan Vural: â€œWithdrawal of Armenians from occupied territories should be a starting point for peace in the regionâ€ â€“ <font color=red> INTERVIEW </font>

16 July 2009 07:58 (UTC +04:00)

- After a tense time which we had with Turkey on the â€œRoad Mapâ€ initiative and a gas price problem, what is the current level of our relations?

- From the Turkish perspective there canâ€™t be any problems with Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is a country with which we have strong ties, friendship. Therefore, any misunderstandings will be solved. We are confident of that. We would never do something which is against the interest of Azerbaijan.

Regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, of course, Turkey wants the issue be solved. We have declared publicly that without progress there we canâ€™t open our borders with Armenia. We all want the Nagorno-Karabakh issue be solved. But before that Armenians should withdrew from occupied territories. It should be a starting point. If the relations with Armenia will be normalized it also will be in Azerbaijani interests. So we hope that there can be progress in that area.

When it comes to Nabucco and signing intergovernmental agreement with some EU countries it is a major step forward. Of course, many others thing need to be done. But the recent event has showed political will of Azerbaijan in the Nabucco project. We are in the same boat again.

- Whatâ€™s your thought on Russia-Azerbaijani gas deal?

- It is an Azeri gas and they are entitled to promote their national interest which sticks to the rules of agreement signed between the countries. Otherwise, there is no problem.

- Whatâ€™s the main lesson of the disagreements which our countries had not to long time ago for you as a former ambassador?

- Perhaps, there was mismanagement, misunderstanding. I think Turkish side always informed Azerbaijan on their relations with Armenia. But there still was misunderstanding. It is solved now. We are working together and interested in the peace and stability in Caucasus. Armenia is also should be brought to the system of stability and peace in the region. If there is a progress between Azerbaijan and Armenia we welcome it.