STRATFOR: TURKEY IS INTERESTED IN ARMENIA AS A LAND-BRIDGE TO THE CASPIAN SEA
ArmInfo
2009-12-03 19:27:00
ArmInfo. The negotiations between Armenia and Turkey are still stalled,
Analyst for Eurasia of the US global intelligence company Srategic
Forecasting, Inc. (STRATFOR) Marko Papic told ArmInfo correspondent.
"Eventually it is definitely in Turkish interests to make a deal with
Armenia. Georgia is obviously locked down for the foreseeable future
by Russia. Turkey can have relations with Georgia, but on Moscow’s
terms. But Turkey wants access to the Caspian Sea, because only that
way can it begin to restore its traditional sphere of influence in
Central Asia. For that, it needs a land-bridge across the Caucasus
to Baku and therein lies the strategic worth of Armenian-Turkish
relations", – the expert said.
According to him, all of this is for nothing if Turkey ruins its
relationship with Azerbaijan while negotiating with Armenia. "Armenia
is completely useless to Turkey, from a geopolitical perspective, if
its alliance with Baku is weakened. Turkey does not need Armenia on
its own, it needs it as a land-bridge to Azerbaijan. Therefore, the
key to Turkish-Armenian reconciliation remains the Nagorno Kharabakh
issue",- said Papic.