The aim of Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit is to settle the differences emerging because of the new tendencies in Turkey’s foreign policy, which arouses come circles’ concern not only in the United States, but also in Israel, Washington’s closest ally in the Near East, Andrey Areshev, Deputy Director General, Russian Strategic Culture Foundation, told NEWS.am.

The U.S. and Israel are seriously concerned over the closer relations between Turkey and Iran, which, in turn, have not only a political, but also economic basis. “The Turkish Premier’s recent visit to Teheran was marked by the signing of major agreements. Although not framework ones, they outline the prospects for Turkish companies’ exploration of the South Pars gas field, which may reconfigure the Nabucco pipeline, which is viewed by the U.S. as the principal means of cutting off Iran and Russia from the energy resources of Central Asia,” Areshev said. He pointed out that the Iranian version of the project is becoming topical along with the potential Iran-Turkey alliance, which may become dominant in the Near East due to its political, geopolitical and energy potential. The expert said that Ankara may feel a strong temptation to play a new game, which may not be agreed on with the United States as thoroughly as the previous ones.

“Erdogan will try to make use of the factor of solid alliance with the West as a means of resolving regional problems in favor of the Turkish side,” Areshev said. In this context he pointed out the Nagorno-Karabakh and Cyprus problems. The expert rules out the resumption of hostilities in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, as it runs counter to the interests of Washington and Ankara. The sides may agree to exert further diplomatic pressure on Armenia, but “the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is unlikely to be unfrozen after the visit.”

As to whether Turkey can make use of the issue of its troops in Afghanistan in the context of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Areshev said that the United States is “too great a power to be run by Turkey.” “Of course, they can promise anything, but will they keep their promises? I think that the OSCE Minsk Group will continue mediator without having anything to do with this visit or statements,” Areshev said. He pointed out that Erdogan’s statements on ultimatums allegedly to be issued to the U.S. are primarily intended for the Turkish public.