AZERBAIJAN MAJOR OBSTACLE TO ARMENIAN-TURKISH RECONCILIATION

news.am
March 12 2010
Armenia

Both Armenia and Turkey benefit from the normalization process –
Ankara hopes it will be a step forward in implementing its policy of
zero problems with neighbors, and discussion of the Armenian Genocide
in a subcommittee of historians will cushion the wave of international
recognition. Armenia will have open borders and diplomatic relations
with its neighbor, Sabine Freizer, Director of the Europe Program,
International Crisis Group, stated at the NATO-held 73rd Rose Roth
seminar in Yerevan.

Yerevan will derive one more benefit from normalizing its relations
with Turkey – the Armenian authorities will finally show the Diaspora
their ability to pursue a policy independent of the Diaspora’s will,
she said.

She stressed, however, that Azerbaijan, rather than Armenia and
Turkey reconciliation, is a major obstacle to the Armenian-Turkish
reconciliation. Azerbaijan believes Turkey closed the Armenian-Turkish
border because of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and must not be
reopened until the Armenian troops leave the territories under their
control. The Turkish authorities explain the fact in a similar way,
but the real reason for their step is quite different, she said.

Nonetheless, after starting negotiations with Armenia, Turkey believed
it would be able to further the process without considering Baku’s
opinion. Ankara did not expect Azerbaijan to offer fierce resistance,
the expert said. Baku managed to cash in on the sentiments of the
Turkish public and Opposition, and Ankara has to consider Azerbaijan’s
opinion in its talks with Armenia – particularly with respect to the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Freizer said.

According to her, one more factor complicating the situation is the
RA Constitutional Court’s verdict. Freizer believes, however, that
the verdict is by no means an obstacle to the ratification of the
Armenian-Turkish protocols. The expert stressed that Ankara is ready
to ratify the protocols if the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process shows
any progress. In question is not the withdrawal of Armenian troops or
any framework agreement, but a small step forward. Freizer reported
that she held a meeting with Turkish President Abdullah Gul in Turkey.

He stated Turkey is ready to ratify the protocols if they are not
different from the ones signed in Zurich. Freizer pointed out her
optimism about the Armenian-Turkish normalization process.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress