Have “fraternal” relations become a burden for Baku?

PanARMENIAN.Net - Neither Turkey nor Azerbaijan are novices in the art of intimidation, thanks to which they occasionally reach the desired effect or, at least, gain some concessions, be it in the Karabakh conflict, in the struggle with the Kurds or in the oil and gas flows. But when Greek meets Greek, then comes the tug of war. The other day, Baku decided to cancel the simplified visa regime with Turkey. But, on the other hand, Turkey and Azerbaijan are negotiating on abolishing the visa regime. As reported by Internethaber, Turkish citizens will no longer be able to go to Azerbaijan without an entry permit. Previously, citizens of Turkey could visit Azerbaijan without a visa, getting permit at the airport. Turkish media resources call this information “shocking” for Ankara and stress that it may affect the relations of the two “brotherly” nations quite negatively. And if we add to this also a couple of protest actions held at the monument to Heydar Aliyev in Istanbul, it becomes clear that the “fraternal” relations have become a burden. It’s appropriate to mention here that the cooling in relations of these two countries began still a year ago, with signing of the Armenian-Turkish Protocols. Constant visits of Prime Minister Erdogan and President Gul, not to mention the those of the politicians of lower rank, must have convinced Azerbaijan that Turkey was behind her back and would, at least, settle the Karabakh issue. It is useless to dream of the maximum, since neither Turkey, nor the more so Azerbaijan can level Armenia to the ground. However, the reality proved to be quite different. Presently Ankara needs Iran and Russia more than she does Azerbaijan. Hardly is it possible that Baku does not understand this, but she is trying to use the levers of “influence” to her advantage. It is appropriate to mention here that the visa system is not so strict for citizens of the countries bordering with Turkey: the visa is stamped in passports at the border; at least it is so for the citizens of Armenia.

Baku, in fact, does not leave room for Ankara to “maneuver” and compels her to totally civilized measures. Neither should we forget that there are several fighters’ camps in Azerbaijan, which are located not in the NKR, but exactly on the territory of Azerbaijan. Let us also add to it the transit of narcotics and trafficking, so that we can get the complete picture of relationship between the two “brotherly” countries. Turkey herself has enough of terrorists, as well as of all the other abovementioned.

The most interesting thing about this story is that it may have a continuation. As we all remember, it all began with the football match, in which Turkey lost. However, it is, so to speak, the excuse. And the reason is obvious - the forthcoming parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan and Turkey. It is unlikely that majority of the people in these countries any longer share the catchword “one nation, two states”. If it’s about the common origin, it is logical: they are both nomadic tribes. But the thing is that nomads of different tribes treated each other, to put it mildly, not so well. Generally, it should be noted that Azerbaijan is very fond of declaring this or that people “fraternal”, and then robbing their cultural heritage and, if possible, destroying it. It has always been so, even at the time of the USSR. In the Russian Empire Caucasian Tatars enjoyed minimal rights, among them living, grazing sheep and sometimes engaging in menial work. Nothing else the aliens were expected or allowed to do. Even now, nearly 100 years later, the situation has hardly changed.

Only one thing has changed: the “brotherly” nations are left to themselves, but, from force of habit, they begin to look for “brothers” on the side. What comes out of it can be traced quite clearly by the example of the South Caucasus. However, no one but outstanding figure of the CPSU Central Committee Heydar Aliyev could think of declaring Sunnis and Shiites a united nation. And his son is now reaping the fruits, sometimes bitter, sometimes sour, but always indigestible.