The possibility of “Zangzor” corridor is decreasing
Mehr News Agency, International Group – Azar Mahdavan: “People’s Republican Party” is the first political party in Turkey, which is currently under the leadership of “Ozgur Özel”. It promotes itself as the largest opposition party. Although the People’s Republican Party failed to win the 2023 presidential election, the municipal elections on March 31, 2024 practically proved that the People’s Republican Party is returning to the stage of power in the political sphere of Turkey, to the extent that whispers of holding early elections from The direction of this hundred-year-old party is heard.
People’s Republican Party is in conflict with the Justice and Development Party led by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan not only in domestic politics but also in foreign politics. Perhaps the biggest and most important conflict of approach is in the Syrian crisis, this party has repeatedly criticized Erdogan for his policy towards Damascus.
In this regard the Turkish (Istanbul) department of Mehr News Agency conducted a conversation with Professor “Ilhan Azgol”, the deputy leader of the People’s Republican Party, with the aim of examining the positions and regional policy of the People’s Republican Party. The details of this conversation are as follows: /p>
As you know, Mr. Masoud Mezikian was able to win as the president of Iran in the recent elections. The result of this election was welcomed by the Turkish authorities. Mr. Medzikian always emphasizes on the development of relations with neighboring countries. How does the People’s Republican Party view Iran’s 14th government?
Iran is one of the most stable neighbors of Turkey. Historically, we have never had border tension with Iran. Iran and Türkiye are two very important, strategic, sensitive and very powerful countries in the region. We see Iran as a country that we can have stable human relations, commercial relations and energy cooperation with without interfering in its internal affairs.
Although Iran and Turkey have a great capacity to develop cooperation, but still This cooperation has not gone as desired. For example, trade relations of 30 billion dollars have been targeted, but we are still far from this figure. In what areas do you think we should improve relations?
Both countries have great potential. Türkiye has advanced economically, especially in consumer goods such as household goods and automobiles. In this regard, you can invest. Turkey is also very advanced in the textile industry, some Turkish companies are moving to Egypt, and Iran can also be one of the investment destinations. Therefore, it is possible to cooperate in many fields. The Board of Foreign Economic Relations in Turkey, the Union of Turkish Chambers of Commerce and Commodity Exchange, as well as economic institutions and groups, that is, non-governmental organizations, can cooperate with their Iranian counterparts. It is the duty of politics to pave the way for this. Therefore, we as the People’s Republican Party are ready to create this ground for economic relations between Iran and Turkey.
After the second Karabakh war, challenges were created between Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, including the Zangzor Corridor. . The Ankara government also wants to open this corridor. As a political figure from the People’s Republican Party, what is your opinion on this?
We also want a road connection between Turkey and Central Asian republics. It is important where the direct road connection is from. In fact, we prefer this road to pass through the Republic of Azerbaijan. There are special relations between Türkiye and the Republic of Azerbaijan. For this reason, our priority regarding the connection of Türkiye to the countries of Central Asia is the Republic of Azerbaijan. Therefore, in the current situation, the issue of the corridor is still very problematic. The probability of Zangzor Corridor is decreasing. Although Russia is willing to interact on the issue of this corridor, Iran does not have a positive view on this issue. Anyway, we think that the line connecting Turkey to Central Asia would be more beneficial if it passes through the Republic of Azerbaijan. But this does not mean that relations with Iran are not good. This is related to the conflict of interests. We prefer to cooperate with Azerbaijan in some issues and with Iran in some issues.
In the last two years, Mr. Erdogan has spoken about normalizing relations with Syria. . Your party also announced that it plans to meet with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. In general, how do you evaluate the policy adopted by the Justice and Development Party against the Damascus government in recent years? As the People’s Republican Party, do you welcome the normalization of relations between Turkey and Syria?
The policy that Erdogan’s government followed regarding Syria from the very beginning, that is, from 2011, was wrong. This was not the right policy, we raised this issue many times. Because trying to change the regime in the neighboring country was a wrong strategy. Justice and Development Party paved the way for radical Islamists. I’ve written a lot about this and spoken a lot about these issues, so our position is clear and hasn’t changed. At that time, the People’s Republican Party was also against the regime change policy in the neighboring country. Even at the beginning of the Syrian crisis, a delegation of members of the People’s Republican Party went to Syria and met with Bashar al-Assad there. Assad remained in power and all the parameters have changed.
But there are challenges, for example Turkey controls 10% of Syria, this is a major problem. In Syria, there are groups that Turkey pays to provide security, there is also a radical system in Idlib province, on the other hand, “P-Y-D” is present in Syria, and at least 4 million Syrian refugees are in Turkey. live, all these cases are among the important challenges in Turkey-Syria relations.
We believe that all these problems should be solved. The solution to these challenges is to meet with the president of Syria, Bashar al-Assad; We support this issue. We even say this: if we can do something, we are ready to do it. We are even willing to meet Bashar Assad. Of course, we officially announced this request to the Assad government. We are waiting for their response. Their response to meeting was not negative. They are also waiting for the conditions for this meeting. Of course, we, as the People’s Republican Party, continue to work to solve any problem regarding Syria. We are now the first popular party in Turkey, when we come to power we want to show that we are ready in this matter.
Currently, polls indicate that the Republican Party is leading. Of course, Erdogan is a powerful leader; He uses all tools to maintain his dignity. That is why we are trying to win early elections. Holding meetings abroad and public meetings inside the country are part of our election plans. But again, we cannot talk about the victory of our respective party.
At the end, I need to emphasize that we attach great importance to Iran as a neighbor, maybe our political system is different from Iran, but if we come to power, We will have stable and strong relations with Iran.
