Tuesday, August 2 2016 11:37

Russia and not Turkey is to remain Azerbaijan's first security partner, Senior Researcher of Ankara Policy Center Burcu Gultekin Punsmann expressed this opinion at an online interview organized by Region research center.

"I don't know to which development of Turkish military bases in Azerbaijan mass media is referring to. We have mainly talked recently about the establishment of a Turkish base in Qatar and possibly in Somalia. These initiatives fit within the context of the fight against terrorism. Turkey and Azerbaijan have as you know close military and security cooperation. However Russia is to remain Azerbaijan's first security partner", the expert mentioned.

To note, information about establishment of a Turkish military base in Azerbaijan appeared in mass media after signing by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev a decree on leasing to Turkey building and facilities in military town Gyzyl Sharg and a terminal at an aerodrome in the Hajji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev village near Baku. Later Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan denied information about establishing a Turkish military base on the country's territory.

The Turkish expert also reacted to the opinions that Turkey plays geopolitical games independent from NATO in Eurasia. "That is wrong perception. Please tell me what precisely NATO's strategy in Eurasia is. Decisions within NATO are taken by consensus. And as Turkey is a full fledged NATO member, no decision that Turkey doesn't agree with will come out from the decision making body of NATO", she stated.