YEREVAN, JUNE 6, ARMENPRESS. Vice-President of the National Assembly of Armenia Eduard Sharmazanov gave an interview to Greek “Epikaira” journal during his visit to Greece.

“Armenpress” presents the entire interview.

-Mr. Vice-President, a tension was escalated recently in Nagorno Karabakh. How would You explain this? Is this tension in the Caucasus associated with the crisis in Syria and the Middle East?

-Concerning the tension, Azerbaijan unleashed an aggression against Nagorno Karabakh on April 1-5. To make an historical overview, I would like to remind you the termless ceasefire agreement which was signed between Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia and Azerbaijan on May 12, 1994. The three sides agreed to reach the peaceful settlement within the framework of the ceasefire agreement. Both Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh adhered to the agreement. However, during all these years, Azerbaijani President spoke about solving the conflict with military means.

Both Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia have repeatedly urged the international community to put pressures on Azerbaijan. The Presidents of Minsk Group Co-Chairing countries (US, Russia, France) issued 5 statements according to which the conflict should be solved based on the famous fundamental principles, which are people’s right to self-determination, the peaceful settlement and the territorial integrity. In fact, Azerbaijan rejected the two principles. As a result Azerbaijan pushed the negotiations to dead end. And so with this, Azerbaijan started the military operations against Nagorno Karabakh. It is obvious that starting the war they wanted to change the situation in the line of contact to acquire unilateral concession.

Realizing that the negotiation process ended with a dead end, they tried to solve the issue with military means. However, they failed since the Nagorno Karabakh people stood against that aggression and proved during the four day war that they will win in their struggle for independence and freedom. Azerbaijan was unable to capture any settlement.

You spoke about whether this escalation was related with the situation in the Middle East, and I gave you photos to see the violence that took place during the four-day war. The Azerbaijani armed forces committed violence against the civilians of Nagorno Karabakh with the same brutality as the Islamic states does against the Christians and Yazidis in the Middle East.

The Turkish leadership from Erdogan to Cavusoglu supported the Azerbaijani barbaric actions. Turkey’s such policy must be condemned.

-Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan supported Azerbaijan during those days, what do You think what is the aim of Turkey?

-Turkey is the successor of the Ottoman Empire. And today, pan-Turkism ideology plays a key role in the Turkish policy. Both Europe, Russia, and the US should understand this. Azerbaijan keeps Armenia in blockade over 23 years keeping closed the European borders.

Turkey from the very start supported Azerbaijan both during the 90s war, and the four-day war. Turkey continues to keep occupied 38% of Cyprus, last year it downed the Russian plane which was fighting against terrorists. Turkey has imperial ambitions both in the Middle East, in the Caucasian region, and in the Balkans. It has neo-Ottoman ambitions. Davutoglu said this. Former President of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev said we are one nation, one state. Another Azerbaijani President Elchibey said there is no Azerbaijani language, there is Turkish. Thus, one could expect such alliance between Turkey and Azerbaijan. Not only Armenia, but other states of the region should worry about this.

-How You see today Turkey’s role in the region and the consequences of its clashes with Russia?

-Turkish-Russian conflict took place over history. There have been also reconciliations. I personally think that these two states are not only competitors, but they are also rivals. I think that Russia and Turkey will always pursue various interests in the Caucasian and Black Sea region. Russia is our ally. Of course, I consider important Russia’s presence in our region: it keeps in balance Turkey’s expansionist ambitions. However, the international community should also stop the Turkish ambitions over Cyprus issue.

-How do You see Your country’s relations with Greece?

-Our people have a long history of friendly and brotherly relations. The Greek civilization Hellenism was widespread in Armenia. Armenian King Artavazd II wrote a Greek tragedy. Armenian Kings Trdhat and Varazdat participated and won in the Olympic Games in 4th century. We are united with the Christian civilization. Armenians participated in the Greek struggle for independence. The Greeks also supported Armenians in their fight against Turks.

During the 90s Greeks of Armenia were jointly fighting against the Azerbaijani aggression. Even during the April four-day war, a group composed of Greek people went to Nagorno Karabakh to protect the Nagorno Karabakh people.

On May 19 the NKR National Assembly recognized the Greek Genocide. We should develop also our economic relations. The existing contacts are positive, however, they are not enough for the economic development. I can assure that the Armenian leadership is ready to develop our cooperation in all sectors.