  Mitat Celikpala: Turkey-Armenia reconciliation process forcedDecember 16, 2008 - 14:28 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The current Turkish-Armenian rapprochement is a forced process. Actually, neither Armenia nor Turkey is willing reconciliation, a Turkish professor said."The process is mostly conditioned by the incumbent leadership's aspiration for the European Union, which sets opening of the border with Armenia as a precondition," said Mitat Celikpala, associate professor of international relations at Turkey's TOBB University. U.S. President-elect Barack Obama's pledge to recognize the Armenian Genocide is also among the reasons, according to him. "Furthermore, Russia is extremely interested opening of the border, what will help alleviate Armenia's isolation and its dependence on Georgia. These factors compel Turkey to reconciliation," Celikpala said. "However, Ankara will not open the border with Armenia unless the European Union gives green light to its accession bid. I think the situation will clear up in spring 2009," he said, 1news.az reports.   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 |  Related sections Latest news Erdogan wants “realistic road map” for relations with Armenia  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for a “new realistic road map” for relations with Armenia.Armenia-Azerbaijan: Experts launch work on determining coordinates Expert groups from the countries started the process of determining the coordinates based on geodetic measurements.Yerevan says did not expect CSTO in peacekeeping role Pashinyan has declared that the CSTO would be expected to come to the Armenia-Azerbaijan border as an ally of ArmeniaHenrikh Mkhitaryan wins Serie A title with Inter Inter Milan midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan admits that the team have long been imagining clinching Serie A against AC Milan. |
