ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS NOT TO BE RATIFIED SOON: EXPERTS

Trend
Nov 12 2009
Azerbaijan

Ratification of the Armenian-Turkish protocols will be delayed for
a long time, Azerbaijani political scientists believe. They note
that it is a long and complicated process and Azerbaijan’s position
is important.

According to foreign and local experts, unlike its neighbors, Turkey
does not act emotionally and determine its foreign policy in the
Caucasus and Middle East in a volatile manner.

Meanwhile, independent Azerbaijani expert Rasim Agayev said "signing
the Armenian-Turkish protocols and making steps to improve relations
with Armenia is a tremendous victory for Turkish diplomacy, but not
without considering Azerbaijan’s policies."

Turkish and Armenian foreign ministers Ahmet Davutoglu and Edward
Nalbandian signed the Ankara-Yerevan protocols in Zurich Oct. 10.

Turkey and Armenia in the talks mediated by Switzerland reached an
agreement to launch "domestic political consultations" Aug. 31 to
sign the "Protocol on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations and
Protocol on the Development of Bilateral Relations," the Turkish
Foreign Ministry reported.

According to Agayev, Turkey will not take emotional steps in its
foreign policy.

The experts agree upon that it is wrong to negatively assess Ankara’s
actions.

"Because Turkey builds its foreign policy based on changes in the
region and strengthening the Islamic factor," Agayev said.

"Turkey’s rapprochement with Iran and Syria and improving relations
with Russia are a signal to the West that Ankara could become a serious
force in the Middle East and strengthen its position in the region,"
political scientist Fikret Sadikhov said. "Given Ankara’s possible
turning into an influential regional player, Turkey’s role in the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict increases."

Sadikhov expressed doubt that the protocols will be ratified soon. He
believes the Turkish government is well aware of this fact.

"This process [establishment of the Turkey-Armenia relations] may
positively impact the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. Documents may
be ratified, but with amendments that will take much time," he added.

Turkey’s position in the Caucasus after the August 2008 only
intensified as Ankara is a vital ally for regional countries,
independent Azerbaijani political scientist Zardusht Alizadeh said.

Regarding Ankara’s convergence with Iran and Syria, he said Turkey
wants to show the West that it can consolidate its position in the
Islamic world based on the sentiments of Muslim society.

According to political scientist Rashad Rzaguliyev, Ankara thought
out and analyzed its relations with Syria and Iran in the context of
the overall Western policy.

"The West wants to build a lighthouse in the Islamic world, which
can be oriented as a model of a secular Islamic society," he said.