Ankara reluctant to be Baku's eternal hostage
"If we take an optimistic view, we can say that Armenian-Turkish rapprochement and border opening may contribute to settlement of Karabakh conflict. That may break Armenian society's stereotypes in relation to Turks," Conciliation Resources organization's Caucasus Project manager Laurence Broers told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.
Even though Turkey has for many years supported Azerbaijan's position on Karabakh conflict, it is necessary to realize that Ankara does not want its foreign policy to be Baku's hostage. "It's hard now to estimate Azerbaijan's influence upon Turkey. Signing of Protocols on the normalization of Armenian-Turkish ties showed that the pressure was not so strong as it seemed," he noted.
Expert also stressed the importance of establishing contacts between Armenian and Azerbaijani societies, noting that civil society discussions in both countries would produce their results.
Even though Turkey has for many years supported Azerbaijan's position on Karabakh conflict, it is necessary to realize that Ankara does not want its foreign policy to be Baku's hostage. "It's hard now to estimate Azerbaijan's influence upon Turkey. Signing of Protocols on the normalization of Armenian-Turkish ties showed that the pressure was not so strong as it seemed," he noted.
Expert also stressed the importance of establishing contacts between Armenian and Azerbaijani societies, noting that civil society discussions in both countries would produce their results.
