Foreign

Home page

Foreign

Turkish Ambassador: We are satisfied with Azerbaijanâ€™s support and this support will be continued - INTERVIEW

23 January 2012 12:08 (UTC +04:00)

Rashad Suleyamnov â€“ APA. APAâ€™s interview with Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan Hulusi Kilic

-The French Senate will today discuss the bill criminalizing the denial of the so-called â€œArmenian genocideâ€. What would you like to say about it?

-As you know, the bill was rejected by the Senateâ€™s Commission of Laws, it was said to run counter to the Constitution. We expect the French Senate to reject the bill as done by the Commission of Laws. Condemnation of Turkeyâ€™s history by the politicians of the country located far away runs counter to the international law, is disrespect for the Turkish people and historians. It is obvious that it will not favor anybody. Such a decision is an evident violation of the law, human rights, freedom of expression. Moreover, the decision passed by the French parliament on December 22 last year cast doubt on Franceâ€™s objectivity as Minsk Group co-chair. The passage of the bill at the Senate will prove that France can not continue its mediation mission in Nagorno Karabakh conflict. In this case, all Minsk Group countries, including Azerbaijan and Turkey, must show initiative for reconsideration of the French co-chairmanship basing on the reality that the mediator that has lost its neutrality can not serve peace in the region. 550 000 Turks are living in France. If such a bill is passed, there will be no peace in France, it will stir up hatred, enmity among nations. It does not coincide with short-term, medium and long-term interests of France to pass the bill in order to get votes. The French people will only suffer from it.

- How do you value Azerbaijanâ€™s support of Turkey?

- This issue made Azerbaijan and Turkey closer. We are satisfied with Azerbaijanâ€™s support, which will be continued. The statements made by the Presidential Administration, Foreign Ministry, Azerbaijani Parliamentâ€™s address to the French Senate, addresses to the French Senate and President Nicolas Sarkozy by Chairman of the Caucasian Muslims Board Allahshukur Pashazadeh, statements by the opposition parties, parliamentarians, non-governmental organizations, protests by the friendly Azerbaijani people and Azerbaijani Diaspora organizations satisfied us. According to the additional reports we obtained during the visit of the Turkish-Azerbaijani inter-parliamentary friendly group that Azerbaijan put forward some initiatives, which were not informed by the press.

- What are these steps?

- Last week Azerbaijan took concrete steps: Foreign and Inter-parliamentary Relations Committee of Azerbaijani Parliament addressed the French Senate and supported Turkey again, French ambassador in Baku was invited to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where he was informed about the serious concerns over this issue, Turkish and Azerbaijani ambassadors in Paris jointly addressed the French Senate and Foreign Ministry, Diaspora organizations held protest actions in Paris and Baku, some French companies were removed from the tenders. French officials and those, who understand the Franceâ€™s interests in the region, saw the solidarity of Turkey and Azerbaijan, and understood that what France will lose, if this groundless draft law, which will violate public stability in France and stir up hostility between the peoples, is adopted. We expect for well-advised and legal step by the French Senate to reject this draft law as it Laws Commission did it.

We express gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for his instructions given after this draft law was put on agenda, as well as to Presidential Administration, chairman and members of the Parliament and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We also thank the Chairman of the Caucasian Muslims Board, non-governmental organizations and friendly Azerbaijani people.