Axar.az represents the interview with Turkish Ambassador in Azerbaijan Mr. Erkan Ozoral:

– Mr. Erdogan appointed General of the Armed Forces of the 20th Armed Forces of Turkey Ismail Hakki Köseli as Turkey's military attaché in Azerbaijan. What does it mean for Turkey to send such a man to Azerbaijan?

– Azerbaijan is a very important country for us. Our attaché in Azerbaijan has always been a General. This is a sign of our commitment to Azerbaijan. Ismail Hakki Köseeli is an indicator of our attention to Azerbaijan as a person who is perfect in his work.

– The news was reported about the opening of Armenian embassy in Qatar. According to the media, $ 192,500 will be spent on the maintenance of the embassy and Qatar will provide $ 110,000 of this money in the next three years. What will be Turkey's position on this issue?

– Qatar is a friendly country of both Azerbaijan and Turkey. Of course, it is normal for Qatar to establish relations with third countries. This is Qatar's decision. But in doing so, we believe that they will keep in mind the relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan.

– After the recent developments in Armenia and the change of power, Mr. Cavusoglu has made clear Turkey's position on Armenia. It would be interesting to hear your thoughts on this issue.

– What Mr. Mevlut Cavusoglu said means the position of Turkey. Turkey's position is very clear: a fundamental problem must be solved to normalize our relations with Armenia. It is the Nagorno-Karabakh problem of Azerbaijan. Until the wounds there are healed, there shouldn’t be expected any changes on our relationship with Armenia.

– There is no official diplomatic and commercial relation between Turkey and Armenia. But there are tens of thousands of Armenians who go to Turkey through Georgia and send money to their family in Armenia. Even Erdogan said that this figure was one hundred thousand. What is the reason of loyal attitude toward Armenians in Turkey?

– One of the main peculiarities of our foreign policy is to pursue humanistic policies. Our attitude to the Armenian people is based on it. Our problem is not with the people, but with the Armenian government. There is no sense to hurt people because of the problem between the two states. Turkey has extended his hand to anyone who wanted help from him. Right now, more than 3.5 million Syrian refugees live in Turkey. Turkey has embraced these people who are in difficult situations and shows them hospitality.

– Armenian television "Luys TV" has been opened in Turkey. Don’t you think that a TV channel that opened by the nation who stole the culture, history, music and lands of Azerbaijan, will serve to their cultural theft in future?

- I don’t have enough information about it right now. But we can talk about it later.

– Azerbaijan and Turkey are very close and native states. This, in turn, reduces the burden of the embassies in both countries and makes it easier. How do you build your public activity in Azerbaijan?

– I feel like home no matter wherever I go in Azerbaijan. It’s like my second homeland in here. Everywhere I go, the doors are open to me. So I feel very comfortable in my social activities.

– Are you following the Azerbaijani media?

– Of course.

– The Turkish Center for Human and Social Research (İNSAMER) has published a research report on Israeli-Azerbaijani relations. The INSAMER's article emphasizes that the Jewish lobby is propagating Israel in Azerbaijan and it was alleged that this propaganda was even left Turkey's propaganda behind. The Azerbaijani media presents not only the articles that serve Turkey's justifiable interests but even the ordinary traffic accident in this country. As a person watching the Azerbaijani media, of course, you are aware of it. What is your attitude towards this issue?

– At the moment there are many research institutions in Turkey. There are numerous documents from these research institutions. At the end of these documents, it is pointed out that those reflected in this article reflect the views of the author. This means that the said documents have no official status. This kind of documents can never reflect the official position of the Turkish government. Our relations with Azerbaijan are based on brotherhood. There is a fundamental principle in our relations, it is two states, one nation. There is no second country which has much news as like Turkey in Azerbaijan media. There is no need for Turkey's popularization in Azerbaijan. Because Turkey is in the heart of Azerbaijanian people. Even 70 years Soviet regime couldn’t erase the love in Azerbaijan toward Turkey.

– While talking about fraternal relations between the two countries, as an ambassador, what steps do you take to strengthen these ties and develop bilateral relations, what projects do you implement?

– As the embassy, we carry out various projects. For example, there is project about that we have been working with Turkish businessmen living in Azerbaijan. We also deal with different activities from time to time, and so on. We are trying to be together with Azerbaijan at their good and bad day.