Azerbaijan, Baku, May 19 / Trend U.Sadikhova /
Azerbaijani political scientists believe strengthening of Turkey's role in the Caucasus and the Middle East could lead to the establishment of stability in the region, which meets Azerbaijan's interests.
Political analyst Zardusht Alizade said Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has become one of the most successful political figures of the country since Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
The Turkish government headed by the Justice and Development Party (AKP) was able to reconcile Islamic values with Western democracy, which led to positive changes in the country, such as combating corruption, improving the business climate and maintaining of a solid dialogue with Western countries.
Alizade believes it will serve to strengthening of the Turkish-American relations.
"Turkey plays a key role in the implementation of U.S. plans to build a democratic Middle East. Erdogan's government is a striking example of combining Islamic values with Western democracy," Alizade said at the roundtable on "Where does Turkey go?" held in Baku today.
Azerbaijan, being a reliable ally of Turkey, could benefit from strengthening of the adjoining country's foreign policy," he added.
Political Scientist Fikret Sadikhov, who believes that Turkey is not just a NATO member and U.S. ally, but also an important regional player that takes a special place in the world politics, agrees with Alizade.
"Turkey's 'zero problems with neighbors' policy has been very successful, even some mistakes were made in improving relations with Armenia," Sadikhov said.
Azerbaijani MP Anar Mammadkhanov thinks that Turkey's economic development became a foundation for its successful policy, as well as for strengthening of its regional influence.
Azerbaijani political analyst Rasim Agayev believes that Erdogan's party, which is in power for eight years, has successfully passed the test of strength.
In the future it will have considerable influence on stabilizing the situation in the Caucasus and the Middle East, Agayev said.
He also believes that the Russia-Turkey rapprochement could have a positive impact on Azerbaijan.
"According to the polls in Turkey, the United States actually lost influence on the foreign policy of this country. Turkey and Russia have established a true partnership for the first time in eight years and they were able to find a common language, which is a positive factor for Azerbaijan," Agayev said.
Erdogan's government was able to prove its effectiveness and ability to conduct multi-vector policy in difficult times for Turkey, Agayev noted.
President of the Social Developments Fund of Azerbaijan, political scientist Rashad Rzaguliyev believes a "reboot" in the Russian-American relations played a significant role in strengthening of Turkey's role in the Eurasian region. Growth of Turkey's influence in the region in the interest of Western countries, he said.
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