Alexei Vlasov talks about the meaning of Nogaideli's new terminology and Medvedev's visit to Turkey
Andrei (Moscow): One of the Georgian opposition leaders, Zurab Nogaideli, made a statement that it is time to start direct negations with the Ossetians and Abkhazians. Does that mean the Georgian Opposition has revised their opinion on regaining the territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia?
Alexei Vlasov: The fact that Zurab Nogaideli suggested not using the term "regaining territory" doesn't mean the Georgian opposition made a public statement to remove the question of uniting Georgia from the agenda. When the terminology changes, the meaning changes. It is no coincidence that Zurab Nogaideli spoke about regaining nations, uniting and consolidating people and Georgia through direct negotiations with the Abkhazians and Ossetians. The ex-Prime Minister imagines this process will go step by step and take some time, but it must be founded on a trilateral dialogue between Georgian, Abkhazian and Ossetian politicians. This means there will be a guarantee that confrontation between Georgia and its former autonomies will not become direct military conflict again . So it is indeed a very important statement, but I underline again it doesn't mean that the Georgian opposition will recognize the independence of Sukhumi and Tskhinvali. Another notable aspect of this statement is the proposal to resume transport connections and trade collaboration. But again everything is linked with the wording "in the future". And this means the moment when Nogaideli and his partners Come to power and the political regime in Georgia is changed. So this is a part of the internal political games in Georgia. And it is understandable that Nogaideli is trying to distance himself from Mikhail Saakashvili and show that his policy and his concept are completely different from the one which led to the defeat of Georgia during the events of August 2008.
Natalia Ivanovna (Minsk): Dear editorial board, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev visited Turkey on May 11th. Should we expect this meeting with Turkish politicians to be a serious step towards dialogue on the Nagorno-Karabakh problem?
Alexei Vlasov: I think it is too early to say that there will be any serious changes in the Nagorno-Karabakh problem after May 11th. It is true this issue was on the agenda of the negotiations between Moscow and Ankara, but it was not the main one or a priority. First of all, because the countries need to solve a huge complex of political and economic questions, and only then to develop the priorities for security in the South Caucasus region. The main problem in bilateral relations is the necessary development of trade and economic cooperation. Dmitry Medvedev and his Turkish colleagues definitely said there are good possibilities for developing trade projects, energy dialogue, including South Stream questions, and so on. So, in my opinion all security questions depend on more active economic cooperation between the two countries . We should not forget that opening the Armenian and Turkish border will reshape the possibilities for Russian-Turkish relations.
But these are all only prospects. There are some real agreements on the economy and energy, but unfortunately Moscow and Ankara are only a part of the peacemaking issue on the Nagorno-Karabakh problem and closer relations between Armenia and Turkey. They can form a package of Suggestions and synchronize it in respect to each other, but still, as
I have said many times, the key for solving the Nagorny Karabakh problem lies in Yerevan and Baku.
Igor M. (Moscow): Dear Alexei Viktorovich, what does this new visa regime between Turkey and Russia mean for Russia?
Alexei Vlasov: As I understand it, you mean the abolition of the necessity for a visa for those Russian tourists who go to Turkey for no more than a month. It certainly provides more opportunities to develop tourism from Russia in Turkey. Moreover, at the moment, along with Egypt, Turkey is one the main tourist destinations attracting Russian citizens. And as far as I understand, this topic will be a part of the big issue of systemizing all possible facets of economic cooperation between Russia and Turkey. It is no coincidence that the first high level meeting of the Cooperation Council was held in Ankara during Medvedev's visit. It is part of a strategic plan to develop bilateral relations in the sphere of
tourism, the economy and energy, and of course in the political sphere.
You could say that tourism is a political segment of dynamically developing bilateral relations that provides a foundation for very close relations. For Russian tourists it is a big advantage. And I think it will be appreciated not only in political declarations but
also by the populations of the countries. For the Turkish people it is a good chance to earn some money, for the Russians it is a good chance to have a more comfortable break.
