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Brooking Institute project director: â€œMatt Bryza is trying to convince the Armenians that they should take some soldiers away from 7 regions surrounding NKâ€ -EXCLUSIVE

02 April 2009 10:03 (UTC +04:00)

-We hear quite often that Turkey is taking into account the interests of Azerbaijan in its rapprochement with Armenia. Do you think is there any way how Turkey can compensate the damage to Azerbaijan caused by the border reopening?

- I think Turkey should talk about the grand bargain in the region. The Minsk Group is now paralyzed. But I know Matt Bryza is in the region trying to convince the Armenians that they should take some soldiers away from 7 regions surrounding NK. If there is a symbolic movements this would make it is easier for Turkey. Because in Turkey, there is a very strong Azeri lobby, and there are also people who concerned about Azerbaijan. And Turkey had indexed its Armenian policy to Azerbaijan. Ideally, it is Armenia pulling out some troops from 7 regions, Turkey opening the border and revitalization of the Minsk process with Obamaâ€™s a new special envoy and that will be, in my opinion, the best way to address the issue. If Turkey opens the border without Armenia doing anything, that would be bad for the relations with Azerbaijan. And I know that Azerbaijan is already quite concerned about it.

- Today, the Wall Street Journal reported that on April 16th the deal between two countries can be signed. Do you have any conformation related to the subject?

-I sincerely donâ€™t know anything about this issue. I think Turkey will have to open border sooner or later but in return it should get something from Armenia. Not only in terms of the historical commission, etc but also movement on the NK issue.

- But time is running out? We are too close to the mentioned date.

- Yes, time is running out. In the next two weeks, there is going to be some things happen before April 24th. Hopefully, Matt Bryza will try to convince the Armenians. Serj Sargsyan has already agreed too many things with Turkey and this may jeopardize his position with the Dashnaks in the parliament. There are many dimensions to this equation.

- Philip Gordon, who is expected to replace Daniel Fried at the State Department, worked with you at the Brookings for a long time. You worked on â€œWinning Turkeyâ€ book together as co-authors. Whatâ€™s his knowledge of Azerbaijan?

- He knows Turkey more than Azerbaijan. But he has a general knowledge of the Minsk Group. He is a balanced and strong analyst. I think it is overall very good for the Turkey, for Azerbaijan and for Armenia, and for overall rapprochement between Turkey and the USA.