Turkey's support is necessary to Aliyev as the breath of life
Recognizing Turkey's present borders, Armenia would imply her non-insistence on international recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
Judging by the latest publications, the Azeri society, in consequence of the outlined diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey, has reached an unprecedented level of hysteria and irresponsibility. The matter is not even that buckets of mud are flung at Armenia; we have long got used to it thanks to the efforts of sunken into oblivion Akper Hasanov and still in good shape Vugar Seidov. By the way, the latter has truly lost his sense of proportion and tact
It would be naïve of us to consider Baku does not realize that Azerbaijan is not fitting into the Armenian-Turkish relations. The matter simply is that Azeri politicians have taken Heydar Aliyev's words on 'One nation, two states' for granted and now they are ready to defend this view at any cost, by all thinkable and unthinkable means. And let us note thereupon that the ostrich policy conducted by the Armenian authorities and some independent departments in foreign matters will never lead to a happy end. The statements like "We consider it beneath our dignity to respond to the foolery of Azerbaijan" are not at all watertight. Neither is the reluctance to report to media what is already spread all over the world. Exactly on this matter dwelt the other day Director of "Hay Dat" Bureau Kiro Manoyan, commenting on the visit of the RA Foreign Minister to Istanbul. "No explanations provided whether the minister goes or not. Then he meets with three ministers but it suddenly occurs he met Obama on a separate meeting. Is it so difficult to distinctly describe the situation?", Manoyan complains. Surely it wouldn't be difficult, be there a will.
But, earnestly speaking, Baku's preoccupation could be predicted. Her illusive hopes on the «return» of Nagorno Karabakh are now fading away for good. And in this regard Turkey's support is necessary to Aliyev as the breath of life. If we should believe Erdogan such support is now offered to Azerbaijan. But how truthful are the Turkish Premier's words? And no matter how hard Baku tries to persuade that she will not tolerate any Armenian-Turkish relations without regulation of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Turkey herself pays little attention to this. The major issue for her is the recognition of today's Turkey's borders by Armenia. However, it is what Armenia and the Armenians should primarily avoid. Recognizing Turkey's present borders, Armenia would imply her non-insistence on international recognition of the Armenian Genocide. This is the only trump card Armenia has, but, unfortunately, there is no proof yet that she is using it correctly.
And now there are numerous delegations heading for Turkey from «brotherly» Azerbaijan every day. There they are met by opposition and nationalist parties, which are not so much against the opening of Armenian-Turkish border as they are against the Erdogan Government. And what is interesting - the Azeri media, very often giving out the desired for the actual, misinterprets the Turkish press. It's quite understandable, as it is the only way to convince people that the «Father of nation» has chosen the right way. And we should show respect to the Turkish press and politicians, as they never venture rough and mean attacks on Armenia and its people. If only the Baku agitation and propaganda department would take lessons from his «brother». But hatred has closed their eyes
In the words of leading analyst of the Center for Middle East Studies Alexander Sotnichenko, the current Turkish Government thinks pragmatically and is ready to establish diplomatic relations with Armenia. "Relations between Turkey and Armenia could become similar to those between Russia and Japan. On the negative side we have territorial claims and no peace of treaty signed. Still, on the positive side, there are diplomatic relations and trade turnover. I believe this model is the most acceptable for Armenian-Turkish relations," he said.
He also noted that the European Union would approve of Armenian-Turkish agreement. Yet, though Turkey seeks EU membership, it will never be accepted as a part of the Committee. "But what's even more important, the agreement will strengthen Russian-Turkish relations and make further agreement between Russia, Turkey and Armenia possible. Surely Baku won't like it, but, frankly speaking, we don't seek her approval. The Erdogan Government is flexible and thinks in accordance with policy realities of today's world, whereas Baku chooses to count on nationalists," Sotnichenko stressed. It is quite possible that Armenia and Turkey will reestablish diplomatic relations, or, to put it differently, they'll return to the status they had before 1993. But what will come next? Hardly would they have neighbourly relations like those between France and Germany. The "Alliance of Civilizations" is impossible in Armenian-Turkish implementation, and no one can say for sure whether it's good or bad. Sorry to say, this topic is most painful for Armenia and Turkey, and its constant overstatement in the press cannot have a happy end.
Karine Ter-Sahakyan
But, earnestly speaking, Baku's preoccupation could be predicted. Her illusive hopes on the «return» of Nagorno Karabakh are now fading away for good. And in this regard Turkey's support is necessary to Aliyev as the breath of life. If we should believe Erdogan such support is now offered to Azerbaijan. But how truthful are the Turkish Premier's words? And no matter how hard Baku tries to persuade that she will not tolerate any Armenian-Turkish relations without regulation of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Turkey herself pays little attention to this. The major issue for her is the recognition of today's Turkey's borders by Armenia. However, it is what Armenia and the Armenians should primarily avoid. Recognizing Turkey's present borders, Armenia would imply her non-insistence on international recognition of the Armenian Genocide. This is the only trump card Armenia has, but, unfortunately, there is no proof yet that she is using it correctly.
And now there are numerous delegations heading for Turkey from «brotherly» Azerbaijan every day. There they are met by opposition and nationalist parties, which are not so much against the opening of Armenian-Turkish border as they are against the Erdogan Government. And what is interesting - the Azeri media, very often giving out the desired for the actual, misinterprets the Turkish press. It's quite understandable, as it is the only way to convince people that the «Father of nation» has chosen the right way. And we should show respect to the Turkish press and politicians, as they never venture rough and mean attacks on Armenia and its people. If only the Baku agitation and propaganda department would take lessons from his «brother». But hatred has closed their eyes
In the words of leading analyst of the Center for Middle East Studies Alexander Sotnichenko, the current Turkish Government thinks pragmatically and is ready to establish diplomatic relations with Armenia. "Relations between Turkey and Armenia could become similar to those between Russia and Japan. On the negative side we have territorial claims and no peace of treaty signed. Still, on the positive side, there are diplomatic relations and trade turnover. I believe this model is the most acceptable for Armenian-Turkish relations," he said.
He also noted that the European Union would approve of Armenian-Turkish agreement. Yet, though Turkey seeks EU membership, it will never be accepted as a part of the Committee. "But what's even more important, the agreement will strengthen Russian-Turkish relations and make further agreement between Russia, Turkey and Armenia possible. Surely Baku won't like it, but, frankly speaking, we don't seek her approval. The Erdogan Government is flexible and thinks in accordance with policy realities of today's world, whereas Baku chooses to count on nationalists," Sotnichenko stressed. It is quite possible that Armenia and Turkey will reestablish diplomatic relations, or, to put it differently, they'll return to the status they had before 1993. But what will come next? Hardly would they have neighbourly relations like those between France and Germany. The "Alliance of Civilizations" is impossible in Armenian-Turkish implementation, and no one can say for sure whether it's good or bad. Sorry to say, this topic is most painful for Armenia and Turkey, and its constant overstatement in the press cannot have a happy end.
Karine Ter-Sahakyan
