R. Suny: Armenian-Turkish relations can be normalized without Genocide recognitionMarch 15, 2007 - 14:22 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Recognition of the Armenian Genocide by scholars, the general public, and even officially by governments is an important step towards clearing the air that fouls relations between Armenians and Turks, Armenia and Turkey, Professor of Social and Political History of the University of Michigan Ronald Grigor Suny stated to the PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. He said, efforts to prevent such recognition only pollutes the atmosphere and makes progress in improving relations more difficult. "But this does not mean that official recognition of the Genocide by one or another government should be a prerequisite for discussion, negotiation, or other kinds of relationships. Armenian-Turkish relations can be normalized without official recognition. Indeed, relations can lead to recognition rather than the other way round," Suny noted. At the same time he thinks that opening the Armenian-Turkish border would be a very useful first step to improving relations between the two neighboring countries, it would help the economies of both countries. "Trade can have positive political and social effects. Armenia's official position on Turkish membership in the EU is a sound and correct one: Turkish membership will aid democratization in Turkey and therefore improve the situation for Armenians in Turkey and relations between Turkey and Armenia. However, at the moment Europe is reluctant to open itself to Turkish membership, particularly given the dismal human rights record in Turkey, the repression of the Kurds and other non-Turkish peoples, the murder of Hrant Dink, and the persecutions of Orhan Pamuk, Elif Shafak, and other intellectuals. Turkish democracy and membership in the EU go hand in hand, and as they develop, Turkish-Armenian relations will also be affected positively," Professor Ronald Suny underscored. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. 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". Partner news | Armenia border residents dissatisfied with delimitation Residents Kirants are dissatisfied with the results of the delimitation of the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. “Great success”: Pashinyan pleased with new border protocol Pashinyan has described the signing by Armenia and Azerbaijan of a protocol on delimitation in Tavush as “a great success”. Armenia, Azerbaijan sign protocol on demarcation coordinates Armenia’s government took on May 15 another step towards handing over four border areas to Azerbaijan. Power of One Dram sums up two-year program with Teach for Armenia Idram Junior also joined the companies during the visit, bringing with it a fascinating intellectual game for children |