Turkey traditionally influences the South Caucasus through Azerbaijan which has its main partners in Ankara. This influence embraces both political and economic fields. However, one cannot say that Turkey has special positions in the region, said expert for Russia-based think tank.

In an interview with actualcomment.ru website Maxim Minayev, a leading analyst at the Russian Center for Current Politics, said Turkey failed to more efficiently participate in the Karabakh peace process although it openly supports Azerbaijan.

The peace process is more supervised by Russia, the expert stated. Moscow realizes Turkey would have taken advantage of the opportunity if it had real weight to settle regional problems.

The expert considers Turkey has major influence in Georgia. “The dialogue is being developed but there are still no tangible results advantageous for Turkey. Georgia is more focused on U.S. and the alliance on the whole. Although Turkey is a NATO member, as for Tbilisi it has no special status,” Minayev believes.

Meanwhile, interaction in the North Caucasus remains a key issue in Russia-Turkey relations. “The point is possible contacts between the Turkish intelligence and Islamic extremists who are operating in the region,” the expert added.

As Armenian News-NEWS.am reported earlier, Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erodgan arrived on a three-day working visit to Moscow today. He will meet with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to discuss lifting of visa regime, trade and strategic cooperation.

Turkish Premier’s visit is scheduled for March 16, 1921 – the day which marks 90th anniversary of Moscow agreement.

On March 16, 1921 the Treaty of Moscow was signed. Signing a treaty Turkey and Russia in fact divided the territory of the Republic of Armenia. Article III of the treaty instituted an autonomous Nakhchivan region under Azerbaijan’s protectorate. The Kars region (lost in 1877-78) went to Turkey, southern part of Batum region went to Turkey as well.