Turkish-Armenian normalization advantageous for Turks, harmful for Azeris

March 7, 2011 - 15:35 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkish scientist, professor Yusuf Halacoglu said that Turkey cannot jeopardize its relations with Azerbaijan because of to Armenia.

The allied relations of Ankara and Baku strengthen Turkey’s positions in Caucasus, Halacoglu said during an international conference in Bayburt: “Caucasian politics – relations of Azerbaijan, Turkey and Armenia.”

“The West and Russia are forcing Turkey to open its border with Armenia, aiming to drive Ankara out of Caucasus. Thus, the Karabakh conflict resolution is of great importance for Turkey. Azerbaijan is a key to access Central Asia and Turkey and, from there, to Ukraine and the Baltic states. As a result of the crisis in the Near East, Azerbaijan has strengthened positions as an energy center. Besides, it has a unique geographic location, thus Turkey should cement its allied relations with this country,” the historian said.

Yusuf Halacoglu and another Turkish expert, Sinan Ogan, are afraid of any progress in the Armenian-Turkish relations. Most likely, they are right, since otherwise the entire pro-Azerbaijani rhetoric, which in reality is an agitation paid off by Baku, will not be worth a damn.

To tell the truth, it is not worth a whistle already now by a simple reason. The normalization is first of all advantageous for Turkey, while Armenia, displaying goodwill, agreed to sign the Protocols despite the entire nation’s strong opposition to them.

Azerbaijan is afraid of staying alone with its “enormous” oil wealth. Since the relations with Iran cannot be considered as brotherly, it should pin hopes on Turkey only.

However, Turkey in its turn, also faces plenty of problems, while its support, as it were, is only of virtual nature.