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Turkey is the greatest occupant, as it has divided Cyprus into two parts without any basis. Turning to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s statement on the settlement of NKR conflict, Former Chairman of NKR NA Standing Committee on Foreign Relations Vahram Atanesyan told the above mentioned during the interview conducted by the correspondent of panorama.am news agency.

Notably according to the reports made by the Turkish news agencies, while touching upon the Karabakh conflict, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has noted that Armenians should leave the “occupied” territories as soon as possible.

“The occupation won’t bring any positive results. Turkey is against the occupation. U.S., Russia, and France must fulfill their commitments soon.  If this is a mediation, it is their responsibility to settle the issue. Our wish is to end the occupation so as our Azerbaijani brothers reach their territories,” Recep Tayyip Erdogan has noted.

For more than half a century Turkey has occupied the northern part of Cyprus establishing Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus there where the Turkish lira is circulated, people have passports of Turkish citizenship and which is defended the Turkish servicemen. And for half a century that state has survived amid the Turkish occupation and the cultural and economic policy run by Turkey in the region.

In Atanesyan’s words the statements and characterizations by the Turkish President are not only unacceptable but also controversial.

“The conflict between NKR and Azerbaijan is to be considered on a completely different platform in terms of the international law, as neither Artsakh nor the Republic of Armenia have launched attacks against Azerbaijan, which Erdogan’s statement refers to. In fact, the Armenian people who made the majority in NKR, made use of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the principles of international law and the provisions of "Law on the procedure of withdrawal of the state parties from the Soviet Union” adopted by the Soviet Union, held referendum in Artsakh and declared the country independent on 10 December. But Azerbaijan has chosen to run a policy of forcefully relocating the Armenian population from Artsakh, shelling the Armenian settlements of NKR and imposing pressure. The only countermeasure of the mentioned activities has been the armed self-defense,” Atanesyan noted adding that today’s borderline is established not as a result of the Armenian expansion, but rather for the protection from the Azerbaijani provocations.

V. Atanesyan believes that Erdogan’s statement is also related to the changes of the political situation in the world, especially to the US presidential elections. Thus this statement also seeks change in the attitude of the US government regarding the NKR conflict.

To prove his claims, Atanesyan has made the following observation: “During the government’s session held on 7 October Azerbaijan president made an explicit announcement referring to the statements of the western co-chairs, first of all the American co-chair, claiming that they demand Azerbaijan to recognize the independence of Artsakh. In fact no response has been made to that statement and the claim is allegedly untrue. Naturally as Azerbaijan has no great reputation to voice his expectations from the new government of the US, Turkey has undertaken such a role,”

Atanesyan also noted that the Turkish President can also become a mediator bringing the two sides of the conflict together to be involved in peace talks, which can be welcomed.

Turning to the same issue Spokesman of Artsakh Republic President David Babayan noted the following: “If such a country, which is considered an occupant in historical, cultural, political and moral terms, speaks about occupation by another state, it is already clear what country we deal with.”

In Babayan’s words Turkey’s approach has not changes, as the country has always been vocal in its support to Azerbaijan.

“By making such statements Turkey deprives itself from the opportunity of becoming OSCE Co-Chair,” Babayan noted.
According to him Erdogan’s statement is a “political roentgen”.

“If Turkey has the right to interfere in the policy of the South Caucasus, we could imagine what results it could have. The priority of that nation is to destroy Artsakh and Armenia. And this statement clearly manifests that intention,” he said.
Babayan called upon not to lose vigilance.

“Many forces do everything to undermine our country’s balanced foreign policy. This is also a signal for us to demonstrate vigilance, as our neighbor has made no changes in its approaches. Thus not recognizing the Genocide and impeding its recognition by other nations Turkey in fact proceeds its genocide policy,” Babayan stated.