The members of Republican Party have different views of “benevolence” of Azerbaijan. Recently, the head of the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Novruz Mamedov announced that his country is ready to provide gas at a lower price under certain conditions without clarifying the terms and conditions. Aravot.am tried to clarify from RP members whether they take serious such benevolence of our neighbor. In a conversation with us, Ashot Aghababyan (Burnash) expressed an opinion that, in his opinion, sooner or later, the hostility will disappear, because we are neighboring countries and that should be just with an economic cooperation. “If he had said something like that, of course, I have neither heard nor read, I see it as a step forward to establish a relationship, because they should not be permanent enemies. There was a war for the sake of the country, state and homeland. After the end of the war, neighboring countries always try to find common grounds for cooperation. It is a healthy offer, and this step, in my opinion, will be considered as a first step for establishment of respective relationship of the 21st century”, – said our interlocutor.
To our observation that we have unregulated problem of Nagorno-Karabakh and negotiation process, which constantly is getting into a deadlock due to efforts of Azerbayjan, Aghababyan replied,- “In any case, I talk about the offer, and if it will affect our future relationship, we do not need it.” Another RP member Hamlet Harutyunyan, as opposed to another member of his party, was familiar with Mamedov’s announcement and expressed uncertainty on terms and conditions that are not published. “I consider this as an unserious statement and an appropriate statement of Turkish foreign policy. And the Turkish foreign policy, for centuries, is aiming to mislead the global society. Look how generous the Azeris are, that they want to provide cheap gas Armenians. Yes, they may provide gas, and say, instead, give Karabakh to us. They do not say the continuation. They say that they are willing to help Armenia, but then continue, – under certain conditions. But the fact that those certain conditions are unacceptable conditions, I am definitely sure.”
Nelly GRIGORYAN
