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AUTHOR MEHMET FATİH ÖZTARSU VOLUME: 1 - ISSUE: 3 AUGUST 2011 Military Relations of Turkey and Azerbaijan Contemporary Situation of Military of Azerbaijan

Military Relations Between Turkey and Azerbaijan

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Page 1: Military Relations Between Turkey and Azerbaijan

Author

DENİZ TÖREN

AUTHOR

MEHMET FATİH ÖZTARSU

VOLUME: 1 - ISSUE: 3

AUGUST 2011

Military Relations of Turkey and Azerbaijan

Contemporary Situation of Military of

Azerbaijan

Page 2: Military Relations Between Turkey and Azerbaijan

2

Table of Contents

Military Relations Of Turkey And Azerbaijan ............................................................................... 3

Interview with Araz ASLANLI ........................................................................................................ 6

Interview with Dr. Hatem CABBARLI ............................................................................................ 8

Interview with Reshad SULEYMANOV........................................................................................ 11

Interview with A Staff Member of Turkish Militart Attache ........................................................ 14

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Military Relations of Turkey and Azerbaijan

After the collapse of USSR, necessities of new states were that economical, political,

military and educational relation on each other and other international platforms and

countries… On that way all former Soviet countries created Commonwealth of Independence

States union (CIS). By the creation of CIS these countries which were combined on old Soviet

map will create new relations at the new world system. Also for regulating new systems

geopolitical situation was very important. Firstly a state can create strong relations where it is

near another state.

If we describe relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan we will see effects of border

factor. Strong relations of Turkey and Azerbaijan are result of near abroad conditions.

Cooperation of Turkey and Azerbaijan had decreased from time to time but this dilemma

ended in new powerful authorities.

Pro Russian politics of Ayaz Muttalibov influenced Turkish relations as only

foundation embassy.[1] Turkey was working to establish new perspectives for other Turkish

countries in short time period of Muttalibov administrative. Ebulfez Elchibey who came to

power after Muttalibov followed new way as Pro Turkish politics as opposite to Muttalibov.

So many agreements had been created in economy, military, education, energy areas and new

activities started. First military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkey borned in that

time.[2]

In 1992 military education agreement signed between Azerbaijani and Turkish

governments. In this period Azerbaijan was working to create international pressure

circumstances on Armenia about Nagorno Karabakh conflict. So military agreements with

Turkey created new tensions at this region. We can say a diminish symbol with Russian

hegemony in foreign affairs subject.

Military conventions were less than next years in new political actions to make strong

authority and balance actions period. Haydar Aliyev’s balance political way created

cooperation as pragmatist mind of Azerbaijani foreign policy. We will see importance of

Turkish military agreements because if Azerbaijan want to be an important actor at the region,

it should establish new relations for the USA and NATO via Turkey at this new period as

Western dominance.

Mehmet Fatih ÖZTARSU

Co-President of Strategic Outlook

Russia-Caucasus Department

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In 1996 between the government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the government of

the Republic of Turkey on base of cooperation of staff members of supporting service of

Armed Forces protocol signed.[3] In 1997 between the government of the Republic of

Azerbaijan and the government of the Republic of Turkey on regulation of civil and military

flying in 10 km of astride Azerbaijan-Turkey border protocol signed. In that time agreements

of Azerbaijan with Iran and Russia were aimed only friendship situation and solve problems

on special issues. Agreements with the USA were not about totally military cooperations. It is

important to not forget that Russian embargo on Azerbaijan because of Chechen problem

increased Turkish inclination on military subjects.[4] Strong relations with Turkey of

Azerbaijan will create new diplomatical positions from Cyprus to Yerevan.

Military positions as international importance of Azerbaijan borned with agreement between

the government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the government of the Republic of Turkey

on activities of platoon of Azerbaijan is going to Kosovo in the staff of Turkish battalion.

Azerbaijan will keep its soldiers untill period of independence of Kosovo.[5] With this step

Azerbaijan became an important and strategical country on extend to Eastern policy of

NATO. Azerbaijan won a good position on Caucasus region with taking some other military

duties via Turkey in different countries.

In 2000 between the Ministry of defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Head of

Naval Forces of Republic of Turkey about giving the attack launch of AB-34 P-134 to the

Azerbaijan protocol signed and :

- Protocol between the Ministry of defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Ministry

of national security of Republic of Turkey on cooperation in the topographical area,

- Protocol between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Turkey on forming

and training of profession school of forces kind of Baku,

- Protocol between the Ministry of defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the

General Staff of the Republic of Turkey on carrying out of the material and technical

purchasing,

- Agreement between the government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the

government of the Republic of Turkey on military industry cooperation signed.[6]

In 2001 between the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the

General Staff of the Republic of Turkey on development of Nakhchivan 5th army protocol; in

2002 Ministry of defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the General Staff of the Republic

of Turkey on cooperation in the area of war history, military archive and museum work and

military publication protocol and in 2003 between the government of the Republic of

Azerbaijan and the government of the Republic of Turkey on training, material and technical

assistance of State Border Service of Azerbaijan by Armed Forces of Turkey and protocol

between Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey on cooperation in the safety of the West-East energy

corridor protocol signed.

Since 1999 Azerbaijan successed quickly. As against to Azerbaijan and Turkey,

Armenia and Greece signed an agreement as “Sending Armenian soldiers to Kosovo via

Greek army”.[7] Armenian parliament agreed this on 13 December 2003. According to this

agreement 30 Armenian soldiers had gone to Kosovo with ratification of Ministry of Defence

of Armenia.[8] It had been explained as to support European-Atlantic integration on South

Caucasus. Against to modernization of Azerbaijan by Turkish Military Forces, Greece take a

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decision to support to Armenian army. Also military cooperations created influences on

political problems. In that time complicated circumstances about these events will share a new

balance of situations on energy and trade agreements.

After the September 11 terrorist acts, Azerbaijan supported the decision of counter

attack to terrorism of the USA. So it sent some peacekeepers to Afghanistan and opened air

space for American forces. These actions share importances of Turkish support and

modernisation to Azerbaijani army. Azerbaijan use this experimentation to be key actor in the

region.

In 2004 and 2005 between the government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the

government of the Republic of Turkey on long-term economical and military cooperation and

between the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the General Staff of the

Republic of Turkey on application of the financial aid protocol signed.[9] And in 2006

between the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the General Staff of the

Republic of Turkey on application of material and technical provision protocol shared new

improvements of new actor. Since 2006 new approaches regulated colloboration with other

states:

- Azerbaijani supports to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus,[10]

- Turkey purchases rockets from the USA,

- New relations of Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkey as a result of alternative energy way

against to Russia.

At the same year new circumstances created balance regulations for Azerbaijan with

agreement of natural gas project with Greece. It was political and military goal of Azerbaijan

because Yerevan loosed its good military and political relations with Greece. So it must

choose a new way as balance politics on the region. There is an importance of balance

activities on military cooperation of Azerbaijan from independence time to now. Pro Turkish

military activities improved international perspective of Azerbaijani foreign affairs. For

example, mainly Azerbaijan used Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus card above from

Greek support to Armenia. Also it took advantages from the USA and NATO supports and

created new politics as an alternative to Russia. We can say that experiences of Pro Turkish

politics of Elchibey and balance politics of Aliyev which agree all region as a whole will

make strong positions of Azerbaijan in Caucasus region.

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What can you say about relations

between Azerbaijan and Turkey as

generally?

Shortly and generally we can define

relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey

as unique strategic relations in the world.

There is no any example like it which has a

common history, contemporary

cooperation and future expectations of

these two states. But it can be criticized by

elite groups sometimes because of these

relations are going under the normal line

which is expected highly. It is very normal

that critiques and expectations are highly

although an inefficient period of relations.

Because there are serious difficulties as

seperation period for 70 years and effects

of available global dynamics. If we look at

generally our military, cultural and

political relations are good and sufficient

than economic relations.

What do you think about different style

of Turkish-Azerbaijani relations from

time to time since period of Ayaz

Muttalibov?

There are different dimensions

which are global effects and changeable

situations of Turkish and Azerbaijani

governments to explain it. Let alone global

effects with to call them external actions of

big powers. It can be criticized badly if

relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey

may be effected ideologic outlooks and

daily politics of two governments. There is

a stability of balances but we can not see

any increase point in general period,

additionally there is an unstable period for

Azerbaijan which is depended on leaders

but it decreased from time to time.

Relations gained as institutionally.

General reason is only that Turkey entered

post Cold war time without institutional

foreign policy and Azerbaijan

was already a new independent state which

had different leaders who had different

ideologies.

What is the importance of military

relations for foreign affairs of

Azerbaijan?

Military relations which are

improved as permanency have very special

position in bilateral relations. Also is has a

prop role in foreign affairs of Azerbaijan.

There is a main example in 2001, July

crisis with Iran. Iran transgressied borders

of Azerbaijan, the USA and other Western

states didn’t protest them but this crisis

ended by Turkish army showed in Baku

with its air planes. Military relations have a

great importance during the battle time to

Armenia for saving our territories even

though some demands disappeared. It

gives a special mission to military

relations, thanks to Turkish effect, because

Karabakh problem is a main event of

foreign policy of Azerbaijan. Effect and

image of Turkish soldiers are available in

national memory of Azerbaijan since 1918

which was a year that Turkey helped

Azerbaijani salvation, this effect has a

main role as psychological bases of

relations. Military relations are symbol of

confidence at this subject.

How military relations effect

Azerbaijani position about NATO?

Turkey is an important effect while

we’re on close way to NATO, but it is not

first impact. Basics and results are being

because of balance policies of Azerbaijan

Araz ASLANLI

Khazar University

QAFSAM – Caucasusian Center for International

Relations and Strategic Studies

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and role of Turkey which given by NATO.

Also common activities supports this issue

especially gendermarie works.

What do you think about modernisation

process of Azerbaijani army by Turkey?

Of course positively, Azerbaijan is

a young state which has occupied

territories (has an obligation to save its

territories in a little while), has threats

from regional powers and has important

energy projects which are important for

regional and global policies, so it needs to

modernise its army. It is very hard to act

with its conditions, external support is

vital. And it is natural and normal to get

supports from Turkey which is

geographically close state and it has

common heritage, language, belief and

culture. It means that there is an easy way

to develop army institution as technical

and educational, at the same time it is

important to struggle against to possible

threats. Because you should choose a

foreign state which you trust to

modernisation of military (because of

military secrets, skills and specialities).

Thus there was a period of foundation of

Azerbaijani army by Turkey and generals

who worked in Tsarist Russia in the first

times of 20. Century. We can see the same

period now.

How military relations of two countries

effect regional problems?

Military relations of Turkey and

Azerbaijan can be a balance element in this

region. We can understand clearly this

position when we look at Turkey and

Azerbaijan which settle on middle zones of

Middle East, Balkan and Caucasus which

have ethnical and serious clash potentials.

Bilateral military relations and also

trilateral or multilateral military

cooperations can prevent ethnical conflicts,

occupation activities and other unstable

potentials. But available conditions are not

ready to realise this thought for short time

period. It can be a true expectation for

middle and long term periods.

Can we say that Azerbaijan changed its

position from post-Soviet line to

Western block after the 11 September

attacks? If so, has Turkey a role about

this subject?

Azerbaijan has a balance policy and

it depends on global and regional balances.

At this point, Azerbaijan continued to its

balance policy while there was no more

influences of West after the 11 September

(the USA effected more than West via to

settle Middle Asia but its power decreased

from time to time for a short time). We can

talk about an opposite position of

Azerbaijani foreign policy against to

Western states. But generally it can share

itself as a reaction of Azerbaijan to

changeable situations of regional balances.

Also Turkish foreign policy is different

than classical periods. Multi dimensional is

preferable than Westernisation and

Azerbaijan and Turkey have common

sensitivities in this subject.

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What can you say about relations

between Azerbaijan and Turkey as

generally?

Relations between Azerbaijan and

Turkey gained since 1991 though some

small disagreements. Two states are

inartificial allies which is a speciality that

other states don’t have. All sides shouldn’t

permit to abuses of others. Azerbaijan has

an important characteristic as a South

Caucasus country. Generally political and

economic relations are increasing in last

years, small disaccords can not influence

general period of relations. And we should

say that relations have not importance as

bilateral, also international platform

interests about this reality.

If we analyze military relations under

the subject of international and regional

security problems, all activities are

effectual. Two country should have done

successful cooperations in last 19 years but

today we can see a different circumstance.

Geopolitical and security problems of

Turkey and Azerbaijan couldn’t do close

of each other.

Turkey has a guarantor right on

Nakhcivan with permissions of Moscow

and Kars Treaties. Also it has a same right

on Adjara, but silence position of Turkey is

a surprise when autonomic body was

cancelled by Georgia. It is important to see

politics of Turkey when status quo

changed on Nakhcivan. There can be

different approaches according to

government’s power if we look at the

Armenian attack to Nakhcivan in 1992

although Turkish army declared important

briefings. We must say that Turkey has a

unique international guarantee to be in

South Caucasus with its guarantor right

on Nakhcivan.

Military relations of two states

continue with NATO standarts now and it

is a one branch of these relations. I think

that bilateral relations are important than

others. It is a big misfortune that two states

didn’t sign any strategic alliance and

defensive agreement. There can be some

obstacles to sign as international. But two

states have a good capacity to sign an

agreement. For example, Russia and

Armenia signed a defensive agreement. If

we can do this, regional balances of power

can change and two states can be powerful

actors at this period and Armenia will

repair its policies against to Turkey and

Azerbaijan.

What do you think about different style

of Turkish-Azerbaijani relations from

time to time since period of Ayaz

Muttalibov?

Ayaz Muttalibov was a pro-Russian

leader. There was no possibility to cut its

relations with Russia even if he visited to

Turkey. Popular Front Party (Azərbaycan

Xalq Cəbhəsi) came to power after him

and they wanted to develop all relations

with Turkey. But 1 year was not enough to

realize them. But Haydar Aliyev’s period

regulated relations with Turkey and

important improvements were established.

Two countries signed political and

economic agreements but military relations

were not strong like them. We should

analyze regional and international

changeable situations when we talked

about different types of seazons about

military relations. Especially Russian and

American politics about South Caucasus

Dr. Hatem CABBARLI

Deputy Chief of

Analytical Information Department of the

National Parliament Apparatus of Azerbaijan Republic

Page 9: Military Relations Between Turkey and Azerbaijan

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and Azerbaijan should be critisized correct.

Russia created aggressive politics against

to old Soviet countries untill late years of

1990s while it is working to reorganise

itself after the collapse of Soviet Union.

The USA and Western countries tried to be

effective in region and now they are

working. There is a different face of Russia

if we compare it with West and the USA,

Russian governments didn’t back down

from Soviet politics with to use jackboot to

establish its powerful situation on the

region, but West and the USA tried to

establish their possessions with ways of

legitimate.

What is the importance of military

relations for foreign affairs of

Azerbaijan?

It is important to Turkish foreign

policy, not only for Azerbaijan, if two

countries sign an agreement about strategic

alliance and defense cooperation. There

will be some chances to be active in

foreign affairs with thinking their situation

on strong way. Azerbaijan and Turkey can

struggle on a common platform against to

Armenian so-called historical subject and

their demands on territories of Turks.

Especially Azerbaijan keeps strong

position when meetings have been

established about Armenian occupation on

Azerbaijani territories. At the same time

Turkey may have a key role on relations

between NATO-Azerbaijan.

How military relations effect

Azerbaijani position about NATO?

Improvements on military relations of

two states may effect positively Azerbaijan

and NATO relations. Turkey is an

important member of NATO and it will

keep its situation for a long time. Turkey

had a role in last times as coordination

duty on relations between Azerbaijan-

NATO-IPAP (Individual Partnership

Action Plan) but after some states gave its

role to Lithuania because of relations of

two states will improve with NATO

subjects. Also Turkey can save its

important role about relations between

NATO and Azerbaijan.

What do you think about modernisation

process of Azerbaijani army by Turkey?

Azerbaijani army is new and it didn’t

work good untill 1994. But Azerbaijan

created military reforms and worked to

increase army capacity to NATO standarts.

It needs to support of Turkey which has

NATO experiences to solve its problems.

There is a good example for army of

Azerbaijan as well disciplined and

successful Turkish army which has a long

term cooperation experience with NATO.

Army officers who worked in Soviet army

educated army of Azerbaijan and this army

adopted Soviet style. After officers who

were educated in Turkey backed to

Azerbaijan helped army to adopt NATO

standarts. Good conditions were

established to educate army officers under

the NATO discipline. Turkish support on

modernisation process of Azerbaijani army

will continue to NATO adaptations of

Azerbaijan.

How military relations of two countries

effect regional problems?

Military relations and possible security

and defensive alliance can create a new

power center in region. First of all it can

change Western and Russian security

organisation initiatives which were not

successful and share importance of

security-national sensitivities of Turkey

and Azerbaijan. It can prevent Armenian

soft hegemony thought against to Turkey

and Azerbaijan. Especially security

balances changed after the 2008 Georgian-

Russian war. If there will be an allience

between Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia

and they will be successful on their way,

there is a possibilty as GUAM states may

join to this alliance.

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Can we say that Azerbaijan changed its

position from post-Soviet line to

Western block after the 11 September

attacks? If so, has Turkey a role about

this subject?

11 September is a milestone for some

people. Azerbaijan supported struggle of

the USA against to global terrorism as an

experienced state about Armenian terror.

The state sent peace force to Afghanistan

and opened air space for the USA. In fact

Azerbaijan tended to West after the

independence, not after 11 September. But

it paid attention to other regional countries.

Namely it didn’t act like Georgia’s

boldness actions. Azerbaijan knows that

irresponsibility as neglecting other regional

countries like first times of 1990s. Haydar

Aliyev government considered balance of

power. Of course Turkey has a role in

tendency to West of Azerbaijan. Also

West/the USA tried to create politics with

Azerbaijan via Turkey. But after they

learned that Turkey had strong position if

they use this method, they tried to make

direct relations. Also Turkey has some

important roles at this situation.

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What can you say about relations

between Azerbaijan and Turkey as

generally?

I want to talk about only military

relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey

because I think main effective issue is this.

All relations which are about political,

economic and military subjects are very

important between Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Also they are increasing from time to time.

Staff members of military department visit

each other for every year and they joined

too many organizations around for 100

times. National Defense Ministry of

Azerbaijan confirms these activations with

its declarations. But there are some

paradoxes that Turkey and Azerbaijan

didn’t create any military union and sign

any pact like Russian Armenian solidarity.

We can say that this is a main paradox for

our subject.

Also there are some important

agreements which were signed by these

two countries like; on development of

Nakhchivan 5th army protocol, on carrying

out of the material, technical purchasing

and military education agreements of

gendarmaries. Turkey helped to Azerbaijan

about cooperation in the topographical

area, forming and training of professional

school of forces and military industry

cooperation. And supports of Turkey

created Qala Education Center with these

relations. Today Turkish staff members

work on all of the points of

Navy Forces of Azerbaijan as

counsellor units. Turkey gave a

Present as a ship and helped about some

special subjects to Azerbaijan Armed

Forces in the previous time. We can see

this important function on the Air Force of

Azerbaijan. There are some other examples

as educational form of Azerbaijani

aircraftmen in Turkey and modernization

activities of Air Force Center by Turkey.

Military industry should be examined

under the military relations subject of

Turkey Azerbaijan. Murat Bayar who is

undersecretar of Turkish Defence Industry

visited Azerbaijan with 17 Turkish

company in 2008, we can establish a

positive thought about last effective

cooperations among these states. Now

ASELSAN works on Azerbaijan to gain on

its ways. National Defence Ministry of

Azerbaijan ratificated an agreement which

is about military radiostations and it costs

3.2 million dollars. Also another important

company “Koza Teknik Savunma San.

Ticaret. Ltd.” works together with Ministry

of Defence Industry and other official

institutions. This company constructed

polygon of the Special State Protection and

shooting range center of Defence Ministry.

Other company TİSAŞ cooperated with

this official institution and producted

pistols under the name of “İnam”, “Zafer”

and “Zafer-K”. It doesn’t finish with only

these activities; they founded technology

line of MKEK Company and producted

bullets which are 7.62 mm. calibres. As

generally Turkish companies are

supporting missions of Turkish state

cooperations with Azerbaijan. Officials of

two countries care about production

projects of “Altay” and “Milgem” national

tanks. Now there is a process about this

event.

Reshad SULEYMANOV

Editor in Chief of Military Azerbaijan Journal and APA

Press Agency

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We can say that this year is efficient

about cooperations of Armed Forces of

Turkey and Azerbaijan. During this year

two sides discussed new situations of their

coordinations and how they improve

available conditions. Atilla Işık who is

commander of the Turkish Gendarmarie

visited Baku in March 2009, after Sefer

Abiyev who is Minister of National

Defence of Azerbaijan visited Turkey in

Aprel. Also Yaver Cemalov who is

minister of Defence Industry, Zakir

Hasanov who is general of the

Gendarmarie of Azerbaijan, İlham

Mehdiyev who is general of the Coast

Guard of Azerbaijan visited Turkey to

implement last important coordinations.

There was an annual meeting about

coordination of investigation activities

between Turkey and Azerbaijan. Last

important visit was of Işık Koşaner who is

general of the Land Forces of Turkey in

November 2009.

What do you think about different style

of Turkish-Azerbaijani relations from

time to time since period of Ayaz

Muttalibov?

Behaviors of leaders are effecting

relations among states, not only state

administratives. Good relations of Haydar

Aliyev during 1994-2003 with Süleyman

Demirel and Ahmet Necdet Sezer, effected

positively Turkish relations of Azerbaijan,

specially about military cooperations.

Especially I want to say that today İlham

Aliyev cares about visits of Turkish

Military staff members.

What is the importance of military

relations for foreign affairs of

Azerbaijan?

Azerbaijan has a key role to

Turkish effect on Caucasus and Middle

Asia. Also it helps to Turkey to be a leader

of Turkish geography. If Turkey lose

chance of Azerbaijan, it should face some

dilemmas on way of great power in the

region. I think, we should be careful while

we are talking about military relations

because we will see an important point.

Turkey wants to create a guarantee against

to bad results of Russian Armenian

alliance in the region with its military

effect on Azerbaijan. Now, Azerbaijan

need to Turkish support in every area.

Definitely other key actors have different

outlooks about this military relation.

Especially Iran and Russia wants to keep

their interests in every condition.

I want to add another point that Iran

intervened Azerbaijani territory via air and

sea ways and the Turkish Air Force

performed a show on Baku air with its war

planes. It was very strong effective to

morale of Azerbaijani people. After that

time Iran followed careful politics with

Azerbaijan.

How military relations effect

Azerbaijani position about NATO?

Turkey had an important role about

relationships between Azerbaijan and

NATO. We can say generally, the Turkish

Armed Forces supported modernisation,

organisational structure and military

education process of Azerbaijani army as

NATO standardisation. But Turkey is not

first reason to be near to NATO; political

situation of the region and Karabakh

problem are effecting policies of

Azerbaijan as take advantage of this

reality.

What do you think about modernisation

process of Azerbaijani army by Turkey?

Absolutely perfect. Firstly this is

possible and real process to affiliate of two

nations with their national thought and

cultural values. Second one is that

favorable to choose Turkish model for

Azerbaijan instead of European countries.

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13

We talked about that Azerbaijani

gendermarie groups are organised by

Turkish army model and special groups are

educated in Foça, Turkey. There are too

many positive results of our working. 200

staff members join to military school and

training centers in Turkey for every year.

Also there are some competitions to apply

to KHO and GATA for Azerbaijanis.

How military relations of two countries

effect regional problems?

Of course it has a great effect on

political processes for this region. If

Azerbaijan declares a war to solve its

territorial problem today, it should use

supports of Turkey. First war on Karabakh

and Georgian war in 2008 shared us a

different point like that Russia can

intervene to all subjects of regional issues

for every moment. Especially, Armenia

will get some supports from Russia and

Collective Security Treaty Organisation.

And we should look at this subject as

military relations of Turkey and Azerbaijan

will implement transnational projects and

global energy security. On the other hand,

Russia and Iran don’t want to be against to

Turkey.

Can we say that Azerbaijan changed its

position from post-Soviet line to

Western block after the 11 September

attacks? If so, has Turkey a role about

this subject?

I think we should look at the old

process of politics and keep realities to

understand this point.

Page 14: Military Relations Between Turkey and Azerbaijan

14

What can you say about relations

between Azerbaijan and Turkey as

generally?

Generally is it a good example for regional

states to make a common structure which

basis on cultural, historical and

geographical similarities. We should look

at first times of 20 century, Turkish

soldiers helped Azerbaijani people because

of Russian and Armenian invade.

Contemporary relations between

Azerbaijan and Turkey borned in that time

as a strong structure. After the

independence time leaders of two states

worked to be combine in every subjects.

Especially Süleyman Demirel and Ahmet

Necdet Sezer shared their sensivity about

Turkish states. In Azerbaijan, Abulfez

Elchibey and Haydar Aliyev created strong

relations with Turkey. Aliyev is very

popular in Turkey with his successful

works. So if we say honestly, relations

among two states are strong than others.

What do you think about different style

of Turkish-Azerbaijani relations from

time to time since period of Ayaz

Muttalibov?

There can be some different outlooks

with initiatives and ideologies of leaders.

Of course Muttalibov had a tendency to

Russia after the Soviet time. But political

conditions can be difficult to share brave

behaviors. In that time Turkey should have

created new politics for Azerbaijan but our

political leaders were not effective to

establish new relations with our brother

state. In People’s Front Party time

Azerbaijan created a good base to make

new politics for Turkey, after Aliyev came

to power and he realised all of political

thoughts. Also Turkey had different

seasons like Azerbaijan. Different leader

came and different political steps had been

established.

What is the importance of military

relations for foreign affairs of

Azerbaijan?

Military relations are very sensitive and

important than others. As a human we

know importance of defense ourselves

against to some threats, like that states

have some arguments to defend

theirselves. We can create cooperations to

be stronger than other. So Turkey and

Azerbaijan established good relations in

military subject. NATO supported our

relations with Western style. But we can

some goals about regional politics with

effecting to foreign policy of Azerbaijan.

In late times of 1990s, Azerbaijan sent

peacekeepers to Kosovo under the Turkish

army. After Greece worked to get

Armenian army to send them Kosovo as

against to Turkish effect. So we created a

line as Baku-Ankara. They worked to

establish a line as Yerevan-Athens and

Azerbaijan initiated to be brave about

Cyprus issue. It is a very important to say

an effect on foreign policy of Azerbaijan.

Also Azerbaijan has a near position to

NATO. We should say the role of Turkey.

How military relations effect

Azerbaijani position about NATO?

Turkish military relations have enough

roles about NATO subject. But it is not

first affect because Azerbaijan has its own

determination to join Western Blok. So

Turkey is a vice helper via standardization

duty of Azerbaijani army.

A Staff Member of

Turkish Military Attache in Azerbaijan

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15

What do you think about modernisation

process of Azerbaijani army by Turkey?

It is a big mission of Turkey and also

Azerbaijan needs it. Turkey has an

obligation by NATO. Again we can look at

history; Turkish commander’s educated

disordered army of Azerbaijan in 1918.

After independence time two states signed

some agreements and protocols. Turkey

gave some technical tools and weapons.

Staff members of Azerbaijan are educated

in Turkey by Turkish army. It is a great

chance for Azerbaijan and also for Turkey

to be effective in South Caucasus.

How military relations of two countries

effect regional problems?

Turkey has some rights on Caucasus

such as Adjaria and Nakhcivan. They can

be political subjects but we may see effects

on regional problems. Turkish army sent

some important messages to Armenia and

Western states in first times of Karabakh

problem. Armenian hegemony was stopped

by Turkey. As we said Kosovo mission of

NATO shared regional political structures.

Can we say that Azerbaijan changed its

position from post-Soviet line to

Western block after the 11 September

attacks? If so, has Turkey a role about

this subject?

There can be Western effect on

Azerbaijan and state selected to support

struggle to terrorism with the USA. But

there is no total tendency to West because

we have a reality that Azerbaijan is a post-

Soviet country and it is near to Eastern

projects and political organisations. It is

important to say Aliyev’s balance politics

or pragmatism. Turkey have some roles

with energy routes, commercial activities

and military relations. But Turkey supports

free politics of all states.

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[1] Hüseyin Adıgüzel, Azerbaycan Dosyası, İleri 2000 Dergisi, http://www.ileri2000.org/27/adiguzel27.htm

[2] Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın ile Azerbaycan, Ermenistan, Türkmenistan, Rusya ve Doğu Türkistan’a Bakış, TÜRKSAM,

http://www.turksam.org/tr/a1784.html

[3] Official web site of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Bilateral Agreements with Turkey.

[4] Ayhan Karaca, Azerbaycan’da Ekonomik Dönüşüm Süreci ve Reformların 10 Yılı, Günaskam,

http://www.gunaskam.com/tr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=125&Itemid=46.

[5] Askerhaber, http://www.askerhaber.com/kosova/kosova-icin-buradayiz.html

[6] Official web site of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Bilateral Agreements with Turkey.

[7] Cavid Veliyev, Türkiye-Gürcistan-Azerbaycan Birlikteliği Karşısında Atina-Erivan Yakınlaşması, TUSAM.

[8] Yunan-Ermeni İttifakı Kosova’da, Diplomatik Gözlem, http://www.diplomatikgozlem.com/haber_oku.asp?id=2792

[9] Official web site of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Bilateral Agreements with Turkey

[10] Radikal Gazetesi, KKTC-Azerbaycan Uçak Seferleri , http://www.radikal.com.tr/haber.php?haberno=162838