TURKEY, ARMENIA DRAW CLOSER TO MENDING TIES
AzerNews Weekly
Sept 1 2009
Azerbaijan
Turkey and Armenia have agreed to start consultations on forging
diplomatic ties and developing bilateral relations in a bid to end
a century of hostility.
The two neighbors have been at odds and their shared border has been
shut since 1993 due to Armenia`s policy of occupation of Azerbaijani
territory and Armenian claims on mass killings of their ancestors by
Ottoman Turks during World War I.
The two countries announced the Swiss-brokered development in a joint
statement on Monday. According to the Turkish Foreign Ministry`s
website, the statement said domestic consultations over two protocols
would be completed within six weeks, which would be followed by
ratification at Turkish and Armenian parliaments.
"Both sides will make their best efforts for the timely progression
of the ratification in line with their constitutional and legal
procedures," the statement said.
It also said Turkey and Armenia "are committed to pursuing their
joint efforts with the assistance of Switzerland."
The "roadmap" to normalize ties was announced in April, but Monday`s
agreements are considered the first real move toward reaching that
goal.
Armenia`s Foreign Ministry claimed the parties had agreed to open the
border between the two countries within two months after the Protocol
on the Development of Bilateral Relations goes into effect. It said
Armenia and Turkey will hold regular political consultations on the
level of their foreign ministries and conduct dialog between the two
nations for confidence-building. Ankara and Yerevan also agreed to
fully use existing transport communications, energy infrastructure
and networks, the Armenian ministry said.
Agreement was also reached to work together in the fields of science
and education, in protecting cultural heritage, to establish ties
in providing consular services, and to take steps toward economic,
trade and tourism cooperation.
Some countries were quick to congratulate Turkey and Armenia on
their agreement to mend strained relations. French President Nicolas
Sarkozy said in his congratulatory message that Paris applauds the
move, adding that Ankara-Yerevan normalization will be a historic
development promoting stability in the region, according to the French
presidential administration.
The United States welcomed the initiative as well. The US State
Department said normalization should take place without preconditions
and within a reasonable timeframe.
"We urge Armenia and Turkey to proceed expeditiously," State
Department spokesman Ian Kelly said in a statement. "We remain ready
to work closely with both governments in support of normalization, a
historic process that will contribute to peace, security and stability
throughout the region."
Signs of a warming in Turkish-Armenian relations discerned after
Turkish President Abdullah Gul attended a 2010 World Cup qualifying
soccer match together with his counterpart Serzh Sarkisian in Yerevan
in September 2008. Further, Gul invited his Armenian counterpart to
Turkey for a return game, due October 14. Also, the two governments
agreed to a comprehensive "roadmap" this past April to normalize
relations. However, Ankara has made clear that it could fully normalize
ties with Yerevan only after the Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict
is settled, i.e. after Armenia pulls out of the occupied Azerbaijani
territories. The Armenian president, in turn, said he will not travel
to the game, unless the Turkish-Armenian border reopens by then or
there are clear signs it is about to open.
Turkish analysts say that, though some verbal agreements have
been reached with Armenia, challenges will emerge with their
enforcement. The pundits reminded that Turkish Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan stated during a visit to Baku in May that Turkey
will not open up its border with the neighboring country so long
as it occupies Azerbaijan`s territories. Turkish commentators said
discussions on the Upper Garabagh conflict are underway simultaneously
with talks on the mentioned protocols. It is likely that following
the mentioned six weeks, a timeframe will be set for the pullout of
the Armenian armed forces from the seven Azerbaijani districts around
Upper Garabagh.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has said opening the
border with Armenia is not on agenda at this point. Ankara`s main
expectations are Yerevan`s relinquishing its claims on the alleged
genocide and a settlement to the Garabagh conflict. Davutoglu pledged
that Azerbaijan`s interests will be met during all stages of the
process, voicing hope that it will positively affect Azerbaijan-Armenia
relations.
"The Turkish parliament may not ratify the protocols if it sees no
progress in the resolution of the Upper Garabagh conflict. Turkey
links the opening of its border with Armenia with the solution of the
Garabagh problem," Davutoglu said during a visit to Northern Cyprus
on Tuesday.
Moreover, Prime Minister Erdogan reportedly phoned Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev several days ago. Also, the Turkish foreign
minister`s adviser, Firudin Sinirlioglu, and aide Unal Cevikoz
visited Azerbaijan for consultations. Analyst Sinan Ogan believes
this indicates that Ankara is informing Baku about its ongoing talks
with Yerevan and taking into consideration Azerbaijan`s interests.
Elkhan Polukhov, the spokesman for the Azerbaijan Foreign Ministry,
has commented that holding talks on normalization of relations is
a sovereign right of both Turkey and Armenia, however, Azerbaijan`s
interests should be honored in the process.
"Turkey`s position on Armenia is known," said Polukhov. "Ankara has
repeatedly stated that until the Upper Garabagh conflict is resolved,
the Turkish-Armenian border will not open. This stance was stated
by Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan in the Milli Majlis (parliament)
during his visit to Azerbaijan this May."
Polukhov added that opening of the Turkish-Armenian border at this
point would contradict Azerbaijan`s interests.
Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian has come out against linking the
agreement reached with Turkey to the Upper Garabagh problem.
"The agreement on normalization of ties reached between Turkey and
Armenia has no bearing on the Garabagh conflict," he claimed while
addressing Armenian diplomats.
Further, Sarkisian noted that problems related to mending ties and
the border opening cannot be solved overnight.
"This is a major process and a laborious job. Consultations on several
principles are currently underway with Turkey. Even if the protocols
are signed, several issues will remain open. In the following stages,
other disputed principles will be discussed."
Analysts say reopening the border and establishing ties with Armenia
would facilitate Turkey`s bid to join the European Union. It would
also give landlocked Armenia, which is facing an economic predicament,
access to Turkish and European markets.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress