Turkish MP: “Occupation of Azerbaijani lands means occupation of Turkish lands” - INTERVIEW

Istanbul. 25 January. REPORT.AZ/ Report's Turkish Bureau interviews Chairman of the Turkish-Russian Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group, member of the Parliament's Security and Intelligence Commission, deputy from the ruling Justice and Development Party Murad Baybatur.

- On January 23, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had a one-on-one meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. What would you like to say about the meeting  which was focued on bilateral relations and numerous issues of regional cooperation issues?

- Relations between Turkey and Russia are developing in all spheres.This is the result of a strong political will demonstrated by our esteemed President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Turkish-Russian cooperation in the Syrian issue is crucial in terms of clearing the region from all terrorist organizations, especially the ISIS and the PKK. With the consent of Russia, Turkey carried out two military operations on the other side of the border and removed PYD/YPG terrorists from areas close to our borders. Cooperating with Russia, we will organize the operation in Manbij city to ensure that the Euphrates is cleared from terrorists.

- In mid-December, President Erdoğan said there would be an operation to clear the eastern coast of the Euphrates from terrorists. Will there be cooperation with Russia?

- We will take the necessary steps for every point with a potential danger for our country. Let no one doubt. By agreeing with the United States, we will create a "Safe Zone" in the North East of Syria - at a depth of 32 kilometers of the border. We do not claim for anybody's land, oil, barley or wheat. We want our neighbors to live in stability and peace. As the President of our country has repeatedly said, we consider it our primary duty to put an end to the existence of the PKK, ISIS and other terrorist organizations in Syria. We have been dominating the region for 600 years and now it is our primary duty to fight terrorist organizations that threaten our security. As you may have noticed, after the “Olive Branch” and “Euphrates Shield” operations carried by Turkey, peace in those areas has been restored. The population in those areas controlled by Turkey on the Syrian border is very happy to see us. When the military operation on the eastern coast of the Euphrates came to the agenda, the clan leaders gathered together and announced their support for Turkey. We see no difference in Arabs, Turks, Kurds in Syria. We treat all of them as human beings and try to make them live in tranquility.

 -Will Turkey be able to turn agreements reached during the last meeting between Erdoğan and Putin into advantage in political and diplomatic spheres?

- Russia, Iran and Turkey are acting together since the Astana process. Cooperation also continued in Geneva. After the last meeting in Moscow, I believe that the cooperation between Syria and the three countries will continue to strengthen. Because Turkey-Russia-Iran cooperation is of a geostrategic and geopolitical demand for the region. The heads of the three countries are expected to hold a new meeting soon. We support the solution of problems in our region by the countries of this geography. As before, Turkey will use all its capabilities in military-political and diplomatic fields.

- It is well known that Turkey wants to play an active role in the political processes in Syria. In what forms will Turkey take part in the political processes after the Putin- Erdoğan meeting?

- Our position on Syria's dictatorship is well-known and we, led by our respective president, are openly expressing it everywhere. It does not make sense to hold a dialogue about the future of Syria with a person who bombs his own people. We want a democratic constitution and election law for Syria. I hope we will actively participate in the political processes that determine the future of the country and our neighbor country will reach peace and prosperity.

- President Erdoğan always points out that Russia can play an important role in the liberation of the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. Do you think that the issue of liberation of Azerbaijani lands was on the agenda of the recent Moscow meeting?

- First of all, we want to put an end to occupation by bringing the issue of liberation of Azerbaijani territories from Armenian occupation to the agenda.

The occupation of Azerbaijani lands means occupation of Turkish lands. We cannot talk about normalizing relations unless Armenia ends occupation of Azerbaijani lands. This is the policy of the state as well as the position of the 80-million nation. We are with our brothers at all times and let no one doubt that this support will continue. If Armenia, which is in a difficult position in all terms, wants to overcome this situation, it should first of all stop the occupation of Azerbaijani lands.