TURKEY REALIZES IT CAN PLAY CRUCIAL ROLE: SEMNEBY

news.am
Nov 2 2009
Armenia

The current situation in Armenia-Turkey relations as it is cannot take
forever, as everyone should adapt to the normalization prospects,
border opening and etc., EU Special Representative for the South
Caucasus Peter Semneby told Russian Vremya Novostey daily. According
to him, certain dynamics in solution to the territorial conflicts
and Armenian-Turkish relations after August 2008 war in Georgia
is registered.

As for Russia’s interest in Armenia-Turkey reconciliation, Semneby
said that "this country started to take steps demonstrating it expects
changes in the Caucasus long ago." In addition, all current investments
in Armenian infrastructure by Russia will get payback only in case
Armenia-Turkey border opens.

Asked whether present progress in relations’ normalization is the
achievement of Armenian diplomacy, Semneby replied: "The impetus to
reconciliation was given not only by Armenia." Though the interest
of Armenian side is "irrefutable," Turkey realizes that "can play
crucial role in the region only if this issue is defused". After all,
conflict with Armenia "restricted to a large extent chances of Turkey
in South Caucasus."

Semneby also touched upon Karabakh issue and endeavors to link the
two regional issues’ settlement, stating similar attempts might
reverse both processes: "It is easy get involved in the situation,
when chances to normalize relations are re-blocked." However, the
official considers that probably the developments in one of the
conflicts will affect the whole tone and "we should assist their
positive interaction as far as possible."