Trend, Azerbaijan
March 13 2009
Turkey may establish relations with Armenia to gain time to settle
`genocide’ problem in future: experts
13.03.09 09:01
Azerbaijan, Baku, March 12 /Trend News, E. Tariverdiyeva/
Turkey may establish the relations with Armenia without agreement of
the ‘genocide’ problem, so that to gain time for more successful
resolution of the problem in the future, experts believe.
"Having de-facto multi polar economic relations, Turkey and Armenia
will more likely to postpone the genocide problem in order to use the
present chance and to settle challenges de jure," Azerbaijani expert
Tofig Abbasov said.
Settling the Armenian-Turkish ties can not run into doubt the fact of
"genocide" of the Armenians, said Armenian Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandian delivering a speech at the International Diplomatic Academy
in France.
Turkey and Armenia is trying to normalize relations, which were
interrupted in 1993. Turkish President Abdullah Gul accepted the
proposal of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan to visit Armenia to
attend the football match between Armenia and Turkey on Sept. 6 last
year. After this visit the sides are continuing diplomatic efforts to
normalize relations between the two countries.
The reasons for the diplomatic gap in 1993 were Yerevan’s anti Turkish
campaign-related to claims of the Armenians to recognise the so-called
"genocide", as well as occupation of 20 per cent territories of
Azerbaijan and territorial claims in the Turkish Anatolia.
Armenia and the Armenian lobby claim that Turkey’s predecessor the
Ottoman Empire has committed genocide against Armenians living in
Anatolia in 1915. Armenians want this fact to be recognized and
enhancing the promotion of the so-called "genocide" in the world. Some
parliaments have already recognized the genocide. The Armenian lobby
is expected to enhance its activity in other parliaments, especially
in the U.S. Congress due to the anniversary of the "genocide".
On the eve of the U.S. President’s visit to Turkey, scheduled for
April, four congressmen sent a letter to Barack Obama. The letter
urged Obama to retain commitment to the recognition of "genocide" of
Armenians in 1915.
According to political scientists, Turkey may establish relations with
Armenia without a final agreement on the "genocide", but only in order
to gain time to successfully tackle this problem in the future.
The discussion of Armenian "genocide" in the U.S. is a subject to
blackmail and pressure on Turkey, as the recognition of this issue
will be a blow to Turkey’s foreign policy, said Turkish political
scientist Sinan Ogan.
"Turkey can improve relations with Armenia without preliminary
agreement on the "genocide" in order to solve this problem in the
future. For Turkey it will be easier to agree with a partner," Turksam
Center for Strategic Studies Director Ogan told Trend News
According to Abbasov, Turkey has advantage and is able to block the
"genocide" issue. Then, Armenia will have to agree. Yerevan does not
have an alternative, he said.
"Armenia does not posses the potential to dictate conditions to Turkey
on stage-by-stage settlement of problems, including the "genocide",
Media-Holding Lider Analytical Group expert Abbasov told Trend News.
Even if there would be favorable prerequisites for tackling of the
issue, it will be pushed shut. The "genocide" issue is too tough and
protracted and for this reason it can not find a rapid resolution,"
Abbasov added.
According to Armenian political scientist Tevan Pogosian, there are
two different issues historical truth and the problem of relations
between the two countries which are neighbours and need to improve the
relationship for the sake of future prosperity and peaceful
coexistence with each other.
"I do not think that one issue could be a problem to solve another,"
Armenian International Social Development Centre Pogosian told Trend
News.
Armenia stated repeatedly that it was ready to improve the relations
and establish diplomatic ties without any preliminary terms.
‘The improvement of relations with Turkey is a matter of the future
and the genocide problem is a matter of the past," Pogosian added.
R.Hafizoglu and D.Ibrahimov contributed in the article.