KARABAKH ISSUE — TEST FOR TURKISH-RUSSIAN PARTNERSHIP: HURRIYET
news.am
May 10 2010
Armenia
"If in the 1990s someone was to suggest that Turkish-Russian relations
could one day reach a level of strategic partnership it would have
likely induced uproarious laughter to listeners," reads an article
by Cem Oguz posted in Hurriyet Daily News.
The author says that Russia has so far considered Turkey a rival
and traditional enemy. However, since Vladimir Putin came to power,
economic interests have prevailed in Russia’s foreign policy, with
geopolitical ambitions replaced by geo-economical aspirations.
According to him, Turkey’s foreign policy underwent certain changes
as well. Presently, Ankara "is paying special attention to the Russia
factor in its foreign policy conduct." The countries realized that
bilateral cooperation is a prerequisite for stability, particularly
in the Caucasus where key issue is the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
settlement. Cem Oguz notes that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is high
on the agenda of President Medvedev’s visit to Turkey.
"In any strategic partnership, a common strategic vision is an
essential prerequisite. For the Turkish-Russian partnership the acid
test will ultimately be the Karabakh issue," the author concludes.
From: Baghdasarian