RUSSIAN ANALYST: ARMENIA-TURKEY PROTOCOLS NOT TO BE RATIFIED SOON
Today
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Jan 22 2010
Azerbaijan
Day.Az interview with Professor at Political Science Department of
Russia’s Graduate School of Economics and political scientist Fyodr
Shelov-Kovedyaev.
Do you believe in reopening of the Armenian-Turkish border after
Ankara warned of breakdown in the Turkey-Armenia normalizing being
dissatisfied with the Armenian Constitutional Court decision?
Someday the Armenian-Turkish protocols will be ratified. But, I think,
will not happen any time soon. The reason for the what is happening now
is deeper – the Turkish side is not ready to officially recognize the
"Armenian genocide" and Armenian side does not stand ready to make
the steps Turkey requires.
In your opinion, what will be Russia’s attitude to the recent
developments in relations between Turkey and Armenia?
Of course, the Caucasus has historically been a scene of clashes of
geopolitical interests of Russia and Turkey. At present, Moscow and
Ankara enjoy good neighborly ties. So, I believe closure and possiblee
opening of the Armenian-Turkish border will have no complications
unless, of course, dramatic changes occur between Russia and Turkey.
Will Russia take Turkey’s gaining leading position in the region
normal?
Turkey has said it for nearly 20 years. The path to realize its
words for it is very difficult and not short. In any case, it failed
to become a regional power in those years when Russia was very
weak. Now it is much harder. Russia does not compete with Turkey,
on the contrary, competes with Russia on many projects, for example,
the Abkhazian one.
In your opinion, is Moscow, as Ankara, sincerely wants to resolve
the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?
After Kosovo, Abkhaz and Ossetian precedents, Cyprus’ admission to
the EU without the Turkish part, I think the situation around the
settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict finally broke down. The
main point is not who wants it or not, but that the very foundations
of international law have been undermined.
How you can assess the year 2009 in terms of progress in resolving
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?
I see no true progress in settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh. Indeed,
there were a lot of meetings, conversations, declarations and
intentions. It’s better than nothing, but in fact, the parties remained
in their original positions.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
