"Armenian issue" in the relations between Baku and Ankara

Author: Orkhan Sattarov, head of European office of VK

Relations between the regional allies, Turkey and Azerbaijan, again face a "storm". The news that Turkey in the near future plans to open flights to Armenia seriously angered Baku. According to some media reports, on April 3, twice weekly flights will be carried out from the Turkish province of Van to Yerevan and back. Formally, it is the initiative of a private Turkish airline Bora Jet; Azerbaijan, however, seriously suspects that the private initiative is inspired by the Turkish government. Urgent greetings of Turkish President Abdullah Gul to Serzh Sargsyan which has become an unpleasant surprise for Baku also did not strengthen the confidence of the Azerbaijani authorities to the policy of Turkish allies.

It's no secret that Baku is extremely sensitive about the future normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations. This was evident as early as in 2009, when, in the first place because of the tough position of Azerbaijan, "the Zurich protocols" signed by the foreign ministers of Turkey and Armenia have been frozen. As for the resumption of flights between Armenia and Turkey, officials in Baku also show a tough stance and unashamedly open wordings. "Azerbaijan is waiting for Turkey's explanations in connection with the opening of Van-Yerevan flight. Opening Van-Yerevan flight does not meet Turkey's position that it occupies on the occupation of Azerbaijani lands by Armenia ", the executive secretary of the ruling party "Yeni Azerbaijan" Ali Akhmedov told reporters on Saturday. According to him, the opening of this flight is of concern. "We hope that Turkey will clarify this question. When the Azerbaijani lands are not liberated from occupation, we do not want to mitigate the relations between Turkey and Armenia ", Akhmedov said.

A similar position was expressed by the Presidential Administration of the Republic. "Azerbaijan has repeatedly stated and reiterated that we treat particularly sensitive to any contact with the occupant country Armenia and separatist regime in Nagorno-Karabakh. Especially if the contact side are friendly countries, "- the head of socio-political department of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan Ali Hasanov said, commenting on the opening of Van-Yerevan flight. According to him, the official Baku considers such contacts as supporting and strengthening occupant country: "This support extends the occupation. When it is done by the states which strategic interests coincide with the Azerbaijani ones, we take it doubly jealous. It is not only our attitude. It is also the public's perception of Turkey". Hasanov said that some time ago, when it came to opening the Armenian-Turkish border, this was not supported by the public, political parties and the Government of Turkey: "We regard opening the flight Van-Yerevan as a kind of official support for the occupation regime in Armenia."

The apologies of the Turkish side at the level of foreign minister are, at least so far, not convincing. "The opening of a private company flight to Armenia should not cast doubt on the official Turkish position," - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkey to Azerbaijan Ismail Joshgun Alper said on Thursday, commenting on the opening of the flight Van - Yerevan, Trend reports. "As far as I know, this flight is carried out by a private Turkish company. In Turkey, there are no legal restrictions on such projects, so their implementation is possible, " the Ambassador said.

Azerbaijani political analyst Mubariz Ahmedoglu, known for his closeness to the government, rejected the version of the Turkish diplomat on the "private initiative" of the Turkish airline that could be implemented without the knowledge of the Turkish authorities. "Without the authorization of the Turkish government any aircraft can not be flying. Regardless of the financial aspects, no employer has the right to raise a plane in the sky. Moreover, Ankara has to create a checkpoint at the airport in Van. In addition, employees of the Turkish Foreign Ministry should ensure at the airport passport and visa control. Once again, it is clear that the opening of Van-Yerevan flight is implemented with the direct involvement of Turkish officials. They should not let the dust in the eyes of Azerbaijan ", Ahmedoglu said, Trend reports.

There is another moment alerting Baku. Judging by the new legislative initiative in Turkey, following the restoration of air service under the guise of the private sector, recovery of the railway to Armenia is not excluded. According to Trend citing the Turkish Minister of Transport, Shipping and Communications Binali Yildirim, the private sector of Turkey issued a permit for construction and operation of railways. Permission was granted by the Ministry of Transport of Turkey to end the state's monopoly on the railroads of the country. For the beginning of the private sector's activity in Turkey in this direction it is necessary that the country's parliament approve a bill previously submitted by the Ministry to the Parliament. Parliament is expected to consider the bill in the coming days.

 Thus, today we are witnessing a new round of tension between Turkey and Azerbaijan caused by "Armenian issue". From how far will this process go future developments in the region largely depend. Given the latest issues the regional geopolitical axis of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ankara might face a serious failure, which would inevitably lead to the creation of new regional tactical alliances.