MITAT CELIKPALA: TURKEY CAN NEVER BE OSCE MG CO-CHAIRING COUNTRY
PanARMENIAN.Net
May 21, 2010 – 16:32 AMT 11:32 GMT
Turkey can never be OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing country, according
to Associate Professor of International Relations at TOBB Economy
and Technology University in Ankara, Mitat Celikpala.
As he noted in a conversation with a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter, Armenia
is opposed to Turkey’s becoming OSCE MG Co-chairing country, therefore,
the issue is removed from agenda. He characterized Karabakh-related
statements by Turkish authorities as political steps that determine
regional position of the country.
"I’m unaware of Suat Kiniklioglu’s "brilliant proposal" for
Turkish-Armenian reconciliation," the expert noted. "Any new offer
will suppose development of a new document and protocols to be
discussed. I don’t believe it’s possible at present. Neither Turkish
nor Armenian societies are ready for reconciliation, which makes any
statements on the issue a mere political manoeuvre. Same applies to
Azerbaijan. Thus, interference of either party, be it Azerbaijan,
Russia or U.S., in Armenia-Turkey rapprochement will only harm the
process," Celikpala said.
As he believes, opening of border with Turkey is not of key importance
to Armenia, in view of open route through Georgia and Iran. "Still,
absence of closed borders is good for the region as a whole,"
he emphasized.