Turkey's Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform demands an "open game"October 6, 2008 - 15:15 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey's Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform demands an "open game", a Russian expert said. "As a rule, cooperation becomes possible if the sides waive their national interests to combat a common enemy or if there is a necessity of diversification of economic relations. Under the global financial and energy crisis, the Caucasus states could reach an agreement to resolve the existing conflicts and secure beneficial economic cooperation. However, there are some irrational historical factors that hamper normalization of relations," senior lecturer at Saint-Petersburg State University, deputy editor at the Center of Oriental Studies, Ph.D. in history Alexander Sotnichenko said in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net Armenia could officially renounce territorial claims against Turkey and stop the worldwide campaign calling for recognition of the Armenian Genocide. In response, Turkey could reconsider its position on Nagorno Karabakh and open the border with Armenia, according to him. "A similar precedent was in case with Syria. As soon as Damask recognized territorial integrity of Turkey and stopped laying claims to the province of Hatay that was annexed to Turkey in 1838, the relations between the two states considerably improved, not to mention the economic factor. Presently, Turkey is mediating for the Syrian-Israeli reconciliation, what is convenient for both sides. I am hopeful that the Caucasus nations will overcome their historic hostility and establish fruitful political and economic cooperation," Dr. Sotnichenko said. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush province Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. |