The official visit of the Turkish president to Azerbaijan finally formed the relationship between the two countries as strategic partners and allies. Ankara confirmed its decision to support Baku in solving the Nagorno-Karabakh problem and taking Azerbaijan's opinion into account when building their policy in the region.
The culmination of the visit was the signing of the Strategic Partnership Treaty. The document states that Turkey will provide necessary assistance in case of any critical situation. This of course means the resumption of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and military action to restore the unity of Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan characterizes the present stage of the negotiations with Armenia as final. The discussions of the Minsk group of the OSCE, which have been going on now for about 20 years, have not found a compromise yet, but one way of solving the problem appeared after the Maindorf declaration. Russia, France and the USA declared that they look forward to the territorial unity of Azerbaijan, saying that Armenia has to recall its forces from the territory of its neighbour before the status of Nagorno-Karabakh can be discussed.
It is notable that this visit took place before the visit of the Russian president to Armenia. Among other problems, a military treaty will be discussed. The military presence of Russia in the region will be prolonged for 49 years. One of the crucial points of the agreement will be a promise of the Russian side to protect Armenia from external aggression.
This forming of blocks means that the region is being prepared for a resumption of military activity. The problem of the conflict is that both sides are antagonistic and do not listen to the opinion of the 3 countries.
Russia's reverence towards Yerevan is quite in line with Russian policy, but could also have been made under pressure from the Armenian side. Russia is interested in the situation in the region and needs a military presence here. This factor could have been used.
After visiting Yerevan, Dmitri Medvedev wants to visit Baku. Perhaps he will be able to clear up some misunderstandings in the region.
08/18/2010 Yevgeny Krishtalev, exclusive to VK
